Many people cringe at the words "root canal," even though they don't usually understand what a root canal is, why they are sometimes necessary, or what happens during the process. Root canal treatment actually plays a vital role in preventing the loss of decayed teeth. They also help to prevent toxins and bacteria from entering the bloodstream through infected teeth, causing other negative health issues.

Although many people would rather not think about it, this treatment is often crucial to good health. The following paragraphs detail the root canal treatment process, outlining what to expect, the costs involved, and other important factors.

Extracting The Pulp

The inside of every tooth is filled with nerve tissue and pulp. When the pulp becomes damaged or infected, it begins to deteriorate. Once this begins, bacteria grows and multiplies. After a while, an abscess forms in the infected area. If the infection or abscess goes unchecked, a patient usually experiences facial swelling and sometimes even a hole in the infected tooth. During root canal treatment, the pulp is removed from the interior of the tooth, halting the infection and keeping bacteria from entering the bloodstream.

The Root Canal Procedure

Before starting the treatment, your dentist will usually take an x-ray of your infected tooth. The x-ray helps your dentist identify the location of the infection inside and around the jawbone. Then, your dentist will administer an anesthetic to numb the tooth and gums. After the anesthetic has taken effect, your dentist drills a hole into the infected tooth to form an access point for removing the pulp and bacteria. Your dentist will scrape the tooth cavity with several small files before flushing out remaining particles with water.

If your infection is severe, your dentist will use antibiotic medication before sealing the cavity with a paste and rubber mixture and placing a filling on top of the infected tooth. Finally, your dentist will place a crown over the tooth to protect and restore it as the final step in the root canal treatment procedure.

Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?

It does not hurt nearly as bad as people imagine. The aversion most people have is usually due to the anxiety exhibited by other people during the time leading up to having the procedure. Afterwards, patients often remark that the discomfort level is similar to a regular cavity filling procedure or that it was not painful at all.

Keep in mind that a root canal treatment is performed on a tooth with dead nerve tissue. Since the sensation of pain is delivered to people via nerve tissue, the treatment could actually be done without an anesthetic since the tooth's nerve tissue is dead.

The Costs And Other Factors

The price of a root canal treatment varies, depending on several factors. First, the treatment costs less on incisors than on molars. Second, the severity of the damage, decay, or infection can affect the cost with more severe cases costing the most. Third, the costs can differ dramatically based on the experience of the dentist performing the procedure. Consider than an endondontist with two extra years of root canal training may charge a higher fee.

Don't fear a root canal treatment. They can help save your teeth and are not as painful as many people believe. If you have a painful tooth, speak with your dentist about the possibility of root canal treatment.