Root Canal is a treatment to restore and save a tooth whose root is damaged or infected. In this method, the dentist pulls out the nerve with the help of local anesthesia and dental tools to keep the tooth and treat the pain caused by the dental nerve.
If you want to know how the steps of tooth extraction are done or if you want to know what are the complications of tooth extraction, be sure to read the rest of this article from Dr. Saina’s health magazine, because we intend to fully answer your questions. So come with us.
Nervousness or nerve-killing; which one is correct?
From the very beginning, it is better to specify our task by pronouncing the name of this treatment method. During their treatment process, many people mistakenly say the term “nervosis”. In English, this treatment is called Root Canal Therapy, which is also abbreviated as RCT.
Some dentists also prefer to use the term “root canal treatment” instead of nerve extraction.
What is neurosurgery?
Dental denervation or root canal involves removing the inner and soft part of the tooth or pulp.The pulp is made of nerves, connective tissue and blood vessels and is located inside the root canal. (Root canal is the term used to describe the natural cavity in the center of the tooth) The pulp nourishes the tooth and provides moisture to the surrounding material. There are many reasons that can damage the pulp and nerves of the tooth. In such a situation, the tooth can be repaired with the help of nerve extraction.
Root canal treatment is performed by a general dentist or a specialist known as an endodontist.
Why is tooth extraction necessary?
When the tooth damage reaches the nerve, it will bring the risk of nerve tissue breakdown and bacterial growth under the teeth, which causes infection or tooth abscess in the first step.
A dental abscess is a cavity filled with pus that forms at the end of the tooth root. An abscess occurs when the infection has spread along the roots of the tooth and is associated with the risk of bursting and the possibility of pus penetrating into the body.
The dangers of not destroying the tooth nerve
In addition to the tooth abscess and severe infection that occurs in the root canal of the tooth, not destroying the nerve canal of the tooth will also be associated with the following risks:
Swelling of the face, especially the cheeks and neck
Bone loss around the tooth nerve root
Tooth and gum perforation
Deep decay
Symptoms of teeth that need nerve extraction
The only way to know for sure if you need root canal treatment is to see your dentist. But there are several warning signs that you should watch out for, and if you see them, go to the dentist as soon as possible, because the earlier the dental problem is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment will be.
constant pain
One of the signs that your tooth may need root canal treatment is persistent toothache that always bothers you or may go away from time to time, but always comes back.
You may feel this pain deep in the bone of your tooth, or you may feel pain in your face, jaw, or other teeth.
Other causes of toothache
Remember that toothache may have other causes other than tooth nerve problem. Some other possibilities of toothache are:
gum disease
Creating a cavity in the tooth
Pain from a sinus infection or other problems
The pain caused by a filled and damaged tooth
Pain from an impacted tooth that may be infected
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Remember, the sooner your tooth can be treated, the better the result.
Sensitivity to heat and cold
If your tooth hurts or becomes sensitive when you eat hot or cold food such as tea, ice cream or ice water, it may be a sign that the veins and nerves of your tooth are damaged. This sensitivity can feel like a dull ache or a sharp pain. If this pain continues for a long time, you should definitely go to the dentist, because you may need tooth extraction.
Tooth discoloration
Infection in the dental pulp can cause tooth discoloration. Impact on the tooth or decay of the internal tissue of the tooth can also damage the root and give the tooth a black and white gray appearance.
Of course, tooth color change can have other reasons, so it is better to see a dentist in case of tooth color change to determine the cause.
Swollen gums with bad breath
Gum swelling in the vicinity of a painful tooth can be a sign that your tooth needs a nerve extraction. Swelling may come and go. It may be tender to the touch or not painful.
You may also have a small abscess on the gum.A tooth abscess may drain pus from a tooth infection and cause a bad taste in your mouth and bad breath.
Tooth mobility or loosening
When your tooth reaches a nerve, it can become loose.The acidic waste material in the tooth tissue can cause the bone around the root of the tooth to soften and move. Of course, loose teeth can have other reasons, and the exact cause can be diagnosed by a dentist and after a careful examination.
Getting to know the stages of tooth extraction
Before starting the denervation, the dentist takes a photo of the tooth to determine the number of channels needed for denervation. Also, if the problem related to the dental nerve has caused swelling of the face or fever, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics before the nerve extraction to eliminate the infection. In such a situation, the dentist may wait a few days until the swelling of the mouth improves and then perform nerve extraction. Nerve extraction or root canal consists of four stages:
First stage: local anesthesia
The dentist injects a small amount of numbing medicine on the gum near the affected tooth.This local anesthesia makes you not feel any pain during tooth extraction.
Second step: removing the tooth pulp
Once your tooth is numb, the endodontist or general dentist will make a small incision at the top of the tooth. Once the infected or damaged pulp is exposed, the doctor will remove it using special tools.Cleaning the entire path of the dental canal requires very high precision from the dentist.
The third step: eliminating the infection with the help of antibiotics
After removing the pulp and pulp, the dentist may cover the opening with a topical antibiotic to kill the infection and prevent it from recurring.
After the canals are cleaned and disinfected, the dentist fills the tooth with sealant paste and a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha. The dentist may also prescribe oral antibiotics to ensure that the infection is suppressed.
The fourth stage of dental denervation: temporary filling
After treating the root of the tooth and filling the small gap that he created in the upper part of the tooth, the dentist temporarily bandages it to protect the tooth canal from damage caused by saliva.
A few days after the root canal procedure, you will have an appointment with your dentist. During this session, the dentist will take X-ray images of your tooth to make sure that the root canal infection is completely gone. At this stage, your dentist will remove the denervation dressing and fill the tooth permanently.
Use of a permanent dental crown
If your preference is to use a crown or veneer permanently after nerve root extraction, the dentist may place a permanent crown on your tooth. The cover or crown is actually an artificial tooth that looks like a real tooth crown and no one will notice that it is artificial.
Possible side effects of dental denervation
New problems may occur in the tooth after nerve extraction. Among the possible problems that occur after tooth extraction, the following can be mentioned:
Root infection of a denervated tooth due to a small amount of bacteria remaining in the tooth root canal
Tooth root cracking
Re-entry of bacteria into the tooth due to the breakdown of the root canal sealing material over time
Solutions to eliminate the complications of dental denervation
In many cases, problems caused by denervation of the tooth can be solved by retreatment, but in some cases, surgery may be needed to save the tooth. The most common surgical procedure is epicocectomy or root removal.
It relieves inflammation or infection in the bony area around the end of the tooth. In this method, the gum is opened and the infected tissue is removed. Sometimes it is also necessary to remove the end of the root. In some cases, a small filler may be placed to reseal the root canal.
Ways to prevent dental nerve problems
In order to prevent tooth decay and problems from reaching the root, maintaining dental hygiene will be very necessary and useful. Remember that keeping your teeth healthy and clean will greatly prevent many problems.
Follow these tips to keep your teeth healthy:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
Use fluoride toothpaste.
Visit the dentist every 6 months for an examination.
Visit the dentist at least once a year for a deep cleaning of your teeth.
Reduce the consumption of sweets and carbohydrates.
After consuming sugary foods, quickly brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.
The last words of Dr. Paziar
Remember that early treatment of dental problems usually leads to a better outcome.Therefore, it is better not to ignore toothache and minor dental problems and visit the dentist as soon as possible so that you can save your teeth by diagnosing and starting treatment.
