One of the most typical dental procedures is a root canal. A severely decaying or infected tooth can be repaired using it. The anesthetic used during this treatment makes it painless. When a tooth would have usually needed to be entirely extracted, a root canal procedure by a dentist in solihull can save it.

What circumstances call for a root canal?

The dental procedure is only necessary when a dental x-ray reveals that a bacterial infection has harmed the pulp. If the pulp becomes infected with bacteria, the pulp will die, causing the germs to multiply and spread. The following are some signs that the pulp is infected:

• Pain while eating cold/hot food and drink

 • Pain when biting or chewing

 • A loose tooth

As the illness worsens, these symptoms disappear, and the pulp will eventually. Even though the tooth might seem to heal, the infection may have progressed to the root canal system. And you might have additional signs like:

 • Facial swelling

• Gum swelling surrounding the affected tooth

• Pain when chewing or biting might reoccur

• The damaged tooth might turn dark in color.

It’s critical to see a dentist immediately if you experience a toothache because the pulp won’t heal on its own if the tooth is infected. The situation could worsen if the affected tooth is left in your mouth.

What steps are taken during a root canal procedure?

The bacteria must be eliminated for the root canal infection to be treated. A tooth extraction or root canal therapy can be used to accomplish this (remove the bacteria from the root canal system).

Keeping your natural teeth as much as possible and avoiding tooth extraction is typically advised. After the germs are removed, the root canal is filled, and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown. A local anesthetic is typically given before the dentist begins the root canal treatment procedure to make the operation painless.

Risk factors and issues with root canal therapy

Changes in color

The root canal can eliminate the living tissue, even while it prevents the infection from developing and prevents the tooth from being extracted. Without the blood arteries, nerves, and tissues that tooth pulp typically contains, some patients may experience some sort of discoloration in the treated tooth.

A cracked tooth

The tooth will never again have the same strength as before due to the bacterial infection. Removing all the live components essentially causes the tooth to die during the surgery, making teeth potentially exceedingly brittle. This is due to the pulp’s key role in maintaining the teeth’s hydration and nutrition.

Reinfection

The majority of patients who have had root canals typically worry about reinfection. While reinfection is possible after a root canal, your dentist should prevent it. Any stage of therapy performed incorrectly is one of the leading causes of reinfection. Because of this, you must have your root canal treated by a skilled dentist at a Birmingham dental practice.