Root Canal Treatment
What is root canal treatment?
Root Canal Treatment Care Guide
Root canal treatment is a procedure to remove diseased pulp from a root canal in your tooth. Each tooth has a crown, dentin, pulp, and one or more roots. The crown is the part of your tooth that you can see. Dentin is hard tissue under the crown that surrounds the pulp. The pulp is tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels that fill your tooth roots. Each root secures your tooth to your gum and jawbone.
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Why do I need root canal treatment?
The pulp in your tooth can become diseased if your tooth is damaged or infected. Diseased pulp can cause pain and swelling in and around the tooth. Ask your caregiver about these and other causes of tooth problems that may need root canal treatment:
- Abscess: An abscess is a pocket of infection that collects around the root of a tooth. A root canal helps remove the infection and prevents the infection from spreading.
- Cavities: Cavities (decay) are holes in your teeth made by germs. The germs causing the cavity may grow and enter the pulp and root of your tooth. Root canal treatment cleans the germs out of the root before a filling is placed in your tooth. A filling is used to repair an area of tooth that is removed.
- Trauma: Tooth trauma, such as a broken tooth, may occur from an accident or injury. You may need a root canal before replacing a broken tooth if the pulp and root are exposed.
What may happen before root canal treatment?
You may need x-rays of your mouth to check the health of your tooth and the bone around it. An x-ray shows your caregiver the shape of the tooth roots to be cleaned out. Your caregiver may give you antibiotic (germ-killing) medicine before the procedure to help prevent or treat an infection. Your caregiver may suggest you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs) to help decrease pain and swelling from the procedure. NSAIDs can be bought with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using NSAIDs.
What happens during root canal treatment?
- You will sit or lie back in a dental chair during your procedure. A shot of local anesthesia (numbing medicine) will be given in the area around your tooth. If you have a filling or other dental device on your tooth, your caregiver will remove it. A rubber sheet, called a rubber dam, will be put around your tooth. The rubber sheet separates your tooth from the rest of your mouth. The rubber sheet helps prevent saliva (spit) from entering the root canal. The rubber sheet also helps prevent you from breathing in or swallowing liquids or small tooth pieces. Your caregiver may remove the crown of your tooth with a dental drill to reach the pulp. Your caregiver may also drill a hole in the crown to reach the pulp and root canal.
- Your caregiver will begin removing the diseased pulp from the tooth. An x-ray picture may be taken to measure the length of your root canal. Your caregiver will clean the remaining diseased pulp from the root canal using dental tools and cleaning fluids. Once all of the pulp is removed, your caregiver will clean the open root canal with germ-killing liquid. The root canal, and area around it, is dried, and a filling will be put inside your tooth root. Your caregiver will cover your tooth with a temporary (short-term) or permanent man-made crown. If there is swelling in the root canal, your caregiver may fill the root with a steroid paste. The paste helps decrease swelling before a permanent crown is placed over the tooth. If a temporary crown is used, your caregiver will replace it with a permanent crown about one week later.
What happens after root canal treatment?
Once your root canal treatment is done, you will be able to go home. Ask your caregiver when you can eat and drink again. Ask about any special instructions for caring for your tooth after a root canal. Also ask your caregiver when to return to complete your treatment or for a follow-up visit.
What are the risks of root canal treatment?
- During your root canal treatment, the cleaning fluid may splash on your face or in your eyes. If bleach is used to clean the root, it may enter nearby tissues and cause swelling, bruising, and infection. The tip of a dental tool may break or get stuck in your root canal. You may also swallow the tip if it drops into your mouth. You may swallow small pieces of tooth created when drilling and cleaning the tooth. Your tooth or root may be damaged. After your root canal treatment, you may have pain and swelling. Pain and swelling could last for a long period of time.
- You may get a fistula (abnormal tissue opening) between your tooth root and your sinus. The procedure may not remove all of the diseased tissue. Saliva may enter the root canal during the procedure, and you may get a new infection. Your tooth may not heal, and you may not be able to use your tooth as you normally would. Your tooth root may not be filled completely, or the seal may not be tight. This may allow germs to enter your tooth and cause an infection. You may need another root canal treatment, or your tooth may need to be removed.
- If you do not have root canal treatment, your symptoms, such as pain and swelling, may get worse. The pain may make it hard for you to bite down with your tooth. Your infection may spread into the tissues around your tooth and create an abscess. The infection may cause the bone around your tooth to break down. You may need to have your tooth removed.
How can I help prevent future tooth problems?
Take good care of your teeth to prevent cavities, tooth injuries, and other tooth problems. Make regular visits with your dental caregiver to check your teeth for problems. If you think you have a cavity or other tooth problem, see your dental caregiver right away.
Where can I find more information?
Contact the following:
- American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago , IL 60611
Phone: 1- 312 - 440-2500
Web Address: http://www.ada.org
When should I call my caregiver?
Call your caregiver if:
- You have a fever.
- Your new filling falls out or feels like it is out of place.
- Your tooth cracks or breaks.
- Your tooth hurts when you bite down.
- You have questions or concerns about your procedure or condition.
When should I seek immediate help?
Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
- You have increasing pain in or around your tooth that does not go away with pain medicine.
- You have new or increased swelling in your gums or face.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
