Despite all of the misleading myths and misconceptions surrounding the dreaded root canal, root canal therapy actually provides relief rather than pain. It allows a means by which a severely damaged tooth or teeth can be saved. The pain that you may experience is the infection of your root or tooth, which is quickly relieved after a root canal. Thanks to advanced pain management in dental care, root canal therapy is a relatively simple and common procedure with little to no discomfort involved in the process. Do You Need Root Canal Therapy? There are certain signs that may indicate that you have a diseased tooth or infected nerve that needs to be relieved with root canal therapy. Some common signs include: *Minimal to severe pain that persists for several days *Tooth discoloration *Swelling and irritation in the surrounding gum tissue *Signs of infection visible on a radiograph A tooth can become inflamed or infected for several reasons, including severe tooth decay or a crack or chip in the tooth. Restorations that fail, including dental fillings and dental crowns can be a breeding ground to bacterial leakage into the dental pulp. Once infected, the dental pulp begins to die and the body's inflammatory responses set in. The combination of infection and inflammation can cause significant pain, with the end result of a toothache. Your dentist can help you determine the source of your pain to create the best treatment plan for you. Why are Toothaches Painful? Nerve fibers, blood, and lymph tissues are located in the root canals, and inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that funnels into those root canals. Your tooth can become inflamed or infected for several reasons including: *Severe tooth decay *Cracked tooth *Chipped tooth *Failing restorations such as a filling or crown Once infected, the dental pulp begins to die and the body's inflammatory responses set in. The combination of infection and inflammation can cause significant pain, which results in a toothache. Root Canal Therapy Procedure Your tooth is made up of three main components: a hard protective shell called enamel, a softer middle layer called dentin and a soft tissue inner layer called dental pulp. If your layer of dental pulp is significantly traumatized, your tooth begins to slowly die, requiring the need for root canal therapy to prevent or eliminate infection and tooth loss. Root canal therapy involves disinfecting and cleansing your tooth and removing debris from the coronal pulp chamber and canals associated with it. Once your affected tooth's canals are cleaned and shaped, they are filled with materials to prevent pain and infection from recurring. After your root canal therapy, you should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it fully restored by your dentist. Proper oral hygiene is essential in maintaining your newly restored tooth. Make sure you maintain regular brushing, flossing and check-ups with your Natomas dentist. When your tooth is infected, the pain you exhibit is often related to your diseased tooth and not the actual procedure of the root canal. If you exhibit any of the signs listed, it is important to consult your Natomas dentist to decide what the best treatment for your infection would be. With proper examination, your dentist will determine if root canal therapy is right for your tooth.
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