Q: Why is root canal treatment necessary?Root canal abscess
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the inside, or pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The
pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels — essentially they keep the tooth alive. It is through the pulp that
temperature and pain are perceived. The inflammation or infection can have many causes but mostly are the
result of deep decay or trauma.
Q: What are typical symptoms of root canal infection?
Depending on the cause, symptoms can be numerous and varied:
•Sharp, acute and intense pain, which is difficult to pinpoint
•Sharp pain when biting down on your tooth or on food
•Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods
•Dull ache and pressure
•Tenderness (accompanied by swelling) in the nearby gums
Q: How does endodontic treatment save my tooth?
The procedure begins by administering a local anesthetic to relieve pain. This will numb the tooth and
surrounding area so that the treatment is no more uncomfortable than a filling. A common misconception is
that root canal treatment is a painful experience when in actuality, it's quite the opposite.
A small opening in the chewing surface of your tooth is created to gain access to the pulp. Very small
instruments are used to remove dead and dying tissue and clean the pulp from the inside, allowing the root
canals to be cleaned and disinfected. The canals are specially “shaped” and prepared so that they can be
sealed with biocompatible filling materials. They are coated with an adhesive cement to ensure that they are
completely sealed to prevent future infection.
It is becoming increasingly common today for root canal specialists to use microscopes for these intricate and
detailed procedures to make the cleaning and shaping process more precise and efficient.
Q: What can I expect following the procedure?Root canal filling
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel tender or sensitive, especially if there was pain or
infection before the procedure. Most discomfort can be relieved by over-the-counter (OTC) medication like
aspirin or ibuprofen. If you have discomfort or pain that lasts more than a few days or if there are other
increasing symptoms, call your dentist. Prescription medications including antibiotics may be indicated.
You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have seen your dentist, particularly if part of the
tooth has been lost to decay, a large filling or trauma. A crown or other restoration is usually needed to
further protect and restore the tooth to full function and is extremely important in ensuring long-term success.
Contact your dentist as soon as possible to arrange for any necessary treatment.
Q: Can an infected tooth cause a general body infection?Root canal treatment
Root canal infection can spread into the bone immediately around the root end if left untreated, although it
usually remains localized to the area. An association has been shown between periodontal (gum) and to a
lesser extent, endodontic (root canal) infection and some systemic (general) body diseases, but it is rare in
an otherwise healthy person. Be safe, don't wait to get a root canal treatment done; just because it has
stopped hurting doesn't mean it's not infected. Root canal treatment is designed to disinfect the tooth and
stop spread of infection making it safe and effective.
Q: Who is qualified to perform root canal treatment?
All general dentists have received training in endodontic treatment and can perform most endodontic
procedures, depending on their comfort level. Often they refer people needing complicated root canal
treatment to endodontists, who have had specialized training and limit their practices to endodontic diagnosis
and treatment. Endodontists perform routine as well as difficult and more complex procedures and are also
experienced in helping to diagnose the cause of oral and facial pain that can be difficult to determine.
Q: How is cost covered?
The cost varies depending on how severe the problem is and which tooth is affected. Cost is based on the
degree of difficulty and location of the tooth in the mouth; for example, front teeth are easier to treat than
back teeth. Root canal treatment is usually covered by dental insurance depending on your coverage. If it
isn't your dentist may also offer you a payment plan.
Q: I am surprised that there is so much to consider in root canal issues?
You're right, there are a lot of topics to cover in this area. In fact, endodontics is a whole specialty of dentistry
dedicated to root canal treatment. Endodontics is represented by the American Association of Endodontists,
a professional group that is also an educational resource for the public.
Information provided by The American Association of Endodontists
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the inside, or pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The
pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels — essentially they keep the tooth alive. It is through the pulp that
temperature and pain are perceived. The inflammation or infection can have many causes but mostly are the
result of deep decay or trauma.
Q: What are typical symptoms of root canal infection?
Depending on the cause, symptoms can be numerous and varied:
•Sharp, acute and intense pain, which is difficult to pinpoint
•Sharp pain when biting down on your tooth or on food
•Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods
•Dull ache and pressure
•Tenderness (accompanied by swelling) in the nearby gums
Q: How does endodontic treatment save my tooth?
The procedure begins by administering a local anesthetic to relieve pain. This will numb the tooth and
surrounding area so that the treatment is no more uncomfortable than a filling. A common misconception is
that root canal treatment is a painful experience when in actuality, it's quite the opposite.
A small opening in the chewing surface of your tooth is created to gain access to the pulp. Very small
instruments are used to remove dead and dying tissue and clean the pulp from the inside, allowing the root
canals to be cleaned and disinfected. The canals are specially “shaped” and prepared so that they can be
sealed with biocompatible filling materials. They are coated with an adhesive cement to ensure that they are
completely sealed to prevent future infection.
It is becoming increasingly common today for root canal specialists to use microscopes for these intricate and
detailed procedures to make the cleaning and shaping process more precise and efficient.
Q: What can I expect following the procedure?Root canal filling
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel tender or sensitive, especially if there was pain or
infection before the procedure. Most discomfort can be relieved by over-the-counter (OTC) medication like
aspirin or ibuprofen. If you have discomfort or pain that lasts more than a few days or if there are other
increasing symptoms, call your dentist. Prescription medications including antibiotics may be indicated.
You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have seen your dentist, particularly if part of the
tooth has been lost to decay, a large filling or trauma. A crown or other restoration is usually needed to
further protect and restore the tooth to full function and is extremely important in ensuring long-term success.
Contact your dentist as soon as possible to arrange for any necessary treatment.
Q: Can an infected tooth cause a general body infection?Root canal treatment
Root canal infection can spread into the bone immediately around the root end if left untreated, although it
usually remains localized to the area. An association has been shown between periodontal (gum) and to a
lesser extent, endodontic (root canal) infection and some systemic (general) body diseases, but it is rare in
an otherwise healthy person. Be safe, don't wait to get a root canal treatment done; just because it has
stopped hurting doesn't mean it's not infected. Root canal treatment is designed to disinfect the tooth and
stop spread of infection making it safe and effective.
Q: Who is qualified to perform root canal treatment?
All general dentists have received training in endodontic treatment and can perform most endodontic
procedures, depending on their comfort level. Often they refer people needing complicated root canal
treatment to endodontists, who have had specialized training and limit their practices to endodontic diagnosis
and treatment. Endodontists perform routine as well as difficult and more complex procedures and are also
experienced in helping to diagnose the cause of oral and facial pain that can be difficult to determine.
Q: How is cost covered?
The cost varies depending on how severe the problem is and which tooth is affected. Cost is based on the
degree of difficulty and location of the tooth in the mouth; for example, front teeth are easier to treat than
back teeth. Root canal treatment is usually covered by dental insurance depending on your coverage. If it
isn't your dentist may also offer you a payment plan.
Q: I am surprised that there is so much to consider in root canal issues?
You're right, there are a lot of topics to cover in this area. In fact, endodontics is a whole specialty of dentistry
dedicated to root canal treatment. Endodontics is represented by the American Association of Endodontists,
a professional group that is also an educational resource for the public.
Information provided by The American Association of Endodontists
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| GRANITE STATE ENDODONTICS Dr. Aneesa Al-Khalidi D.M.D 505 West Hollis Street ~ Suite 104 Nashua, NH 03062 603-883-3636 |