Understanding Root Canal Treatment: Saving Your Tooth

At Onyx Dental Care, we’re committed to helping you maintain your natural smile. Root canal treatment is a vital procedure for eliminating pain and infection, allowing you to save a tooth that might otherwise need extraction.

This guide explains the materials, benefits, risks, and post-treatment care associated with root canal therapy.

What Materials Are Used in Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment involves carefully shaping, cleaning, and filling the tooth’s root canals to ensure the area remains free from re-infection.

The process uses the following materials:

• Files: Small tools used to widen and shape the root canals.
• Disinfecting Solutions: Cleans the canals to eliminate bacteria.
• Gutta-Percha: A biocompatible material used to fill the root canals.
• Antibacterial Sealer: Prevents bacteria from re-entering the root canal space.

What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment provides significant advantages for your oral health:

• Eliminates Pain and Infection: Relieves discomfort and removes the source of infection.
• Saves the Tooth: Preserves your natural tooth structure, preventing the need for extraction.
• Promotes Oral Health: Prevents the spread of infection to other teeth or parts of the body.
• Restores Functionality: Allows the tooth to function normally for chewing and speaking.

What Are the Risks of Root Canal Treatment?

While root canal therapy is highly effective, some inherent risks exist:

• Continued Pain or Infection: Up to 10% of treated teeth may experience ongoing discomfort due to:
  • Remaining nerve tissue in the canal space.
  • Incomplete filling of the canal with gutta-percha and sealer.
  • Undetected root fractures present during treatment.
• Higher Risk of Fracture: Root canal-treated teeth are more prone to fracturing compared to untreated teeth. Placing a crown or onlay to cover the cusps is highly recommended to reduce this risk.

What Are the Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment?

The only alternative to a root canal is tooth extraction. However, extraction has its drawbacks:

Lingering Infection: Without a root canal, the infection will persist and may spread, causing pain and swelling.

Reach out to our team at Onyx Dental today if you experience an infection.

Tooth Replacement Needed: An extracted tooth must be replaced with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to maintain oral function and alignment.

Your dentist will explain the best course of action based on your oral health and symptoms.

Post-Treatment Considerations

After a root canal, proper care is essential for healing and long-term success:

Temporary Filling: A temporary filling may be placed to protect the treated tooth while it heals. This should be replaced with a permanent restoration, such as a crown, as soon as possible.

Restoration Placement: Permanent coverage helps prevent bacteria from re-entering the canal and protects the tooth from fractures.

Ongoing Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss daily to maintain the health of the treated tooth and surrounding area.

Root canal treatment is a reliable way to save an infected tooth and restore your oral health. At Onyx Dental Care, we provide expert care and guidance throughout the process to ensure a successful outcome.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of an infected tooth or want to learn more about root canal treatment, contact us today or schedule an appointment.

Let’s work together to protect your smile and maintain your oral health.