A root canal is oral surgery in which a dentist preserves a tooth that has become infected or decayed. The dentist extracts the nerve and pulp under the decayed or infected tooth. They then clean the tooth and seal it. If an infected or decayed tooth is not taken care of, abscesses may form in or around the tooth and gums.

When the pulp – the soft center of the tooth – becomes infected, bacteria forms and spreads to the root canal chamber. When the infection has spread past the root endings, an abscess may form. An abscess is a pocket fill with pus that forms at the root endings of the tooth. These infections can cause swelling in the mouth and gums. The tip of the root can suffer bone loss and a hole can form through the root of the tooth, so getting it taken care of is extremely necessary.

Tooth decay and infections can be caused by not taking proper care of the teeth. Sometimes, trauma to the face or repeated dental procedures on a tooth can cause infection, as well as large fillings, cracks, or chips in the teeth. Symptoms that the patient should be aware of are severe toothache pain, sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures localized to the tooth, darkening of the tooth, swelling or tenderness in the gums, or a persistent bump on the gums of the nearby teeth. These are all signs that there may be tooth decay or an infection, and you should make an appointment with your family dentist to take care of it before it gets worse.

An X-ray will be done to view the root canal’s shape and determine if there is any infection to the surrounding bone. If a root canal is needed, the dentist will schedule a day for surgery. During the surgery, local anesthesia is given to numb the area surrounding the tooth, and a rubber dam is placed around it to keep it dry during the procedure. An access hole is them drilled into the tooth. The pulp of the tooth, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and other debris will be extracted from the tooth. Periodically during the procedure, debris is flushed out of the mouth with water or sodium hypochlorite. Then, a dental file is used on the tooth to finish removing all the debris and to smooth the tooth. About a week later, a second, smaller procedure is done where the tooth will be sealed. The tooth is sealed with a sealer paste and compound and then a filling, cap, or crown is placed over the tooth to ensure it is completely closed again and to keep the tooth from breaking, chipping, or cracking and restore the tooth back to its full function. These post-operative treatments are usually discussed in detail with the dentist before the root canal procedure is done.

After the surgery, you may have pain or sensitivity on or around the tooth, but pain medications may be prescribed, or over-the-counter medications may be recommended, depending on the severity of the pain. Chewing should be minimal while the tooth is healing and re-strengthening.

Sometimes root canals are unavoidable, but taking care of your tooth is of utmost importance. Dentists recommend that you floss and brush your teeth daily. Examine your teeth and gums on a regular basis to make sure there are no holes, cracks, chips, or bumps. Also, make sure to visit your dentist regularly for maintenance cleaning and examinations.

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