{"id":902,"date":"2017-11-06T16:04:51","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T04:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/dental-treatment\/what-to-expect-from-a-root-canal-treatment\/"},"modified":"2025-03-01T16:15:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:15:18","slug":"what-to-expect-from-a-root-canal-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/what-to-expect-from-a-root-canal-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"What to expect from a root canal treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

They are among the most common procedures dentists perform each day, but root canal treatments are poorly understood. They\u2019re also disproportionately feared. People universally like to compare punishing, boring tasks to root canals. \u201dThis exam is worse than a root canal\u201d or \u201cI\u2019d rather be having a root canal\u201d are not uncommon refrains.<\/p>\n

Yet root canal treatments are a safe and effective way to save natural teeth and avoid costly implants. So let\u2019s drill down on this dreaded subject and hopefully chip away at any apprehension you have about how a root canal may be a solution to save your smile \u2014 and health.<\/p>\n

What is a root canal?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s consider your teeth themselves. A section of each tooth is visible, its white enamel glistening when you smile. The root, of course, delves below the gum line into the socket. Its job is to anchor your tooth to your jaw. Front teeth typically have a single root whereas molars, including wisdom teeth, have as many as three or four. Regardless of the number of roots it has, inside each tooth exists the pulp chamber, a fancy-sounding vestibule for nerves, blood vessels and pulp. The pulp, which is connective tissue, descends from the chamber \u2014 usually the middle of the tooth \u2014 down through the cavity of each root. A jelly-like tissue, pulp is considered the innermost layer of the tooth.<\/p>\n

The section of pulp cavity inside each root is known as a root canal. So when we talk about a root canal in dental terms, we can be discussing either a healthy or unhealthy tooth. A root canal treatment<\/a>, however, is a process to fix infected or inflamed pulp inside the root of the tooth. Without treatment, tooth decay can proliferate from the infected tooth to adjacent teeth.<\/p>\n

Should the pulp become injured or infected, the tooth can feel sensitive or painful. This is thanks to the nerves contained within the gelatinous pulp. Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures \u2014 be they food or drink \u2014 is one key sign of a problem. Spontaneous shooting pain from an affected tooth is also a telltale signal.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, experiencing severe pain can lead us to believe treating the problem will be just as painful if not more so. But root canal treatment is one of the most routine procedures dentists perform. It can also be a speciality area of dentistry known as endodontics; root canal treatment is sometimes called endodontic treatment. Essentially, it\u2019s a treatment targeting the problematic pulp.<\/p>\n

Dentists with advanced training in endodontic treatment are known, unsurprisingly, as endodontists. No matter who is treating the problematic pulp, though, they will begin by numbing your tooth \u2014 just as they would ahead of a filling. Once your mouth is numb, a hole will be drilled through the crown and into the pulp chamber. The roots will then be rinsed out with a liquid to kill bacteria and flood out debris.<\/p>\n

Fine instruments are then used to clean out each of the root canals. Once they are clean, your dental care professional will fill the root canals and fill the tooth.<\/p>\n

Finally, the crown of the tooth must be shaped and adjusted to your bite. After it\u2019s all over, you can expect a long time of continued use out of your tooth; it can remain in your jaw and help your smile, speech and digestion for decades to come.<\/p>\n

Signs you need a root canal<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is imperative to call us. Not only do we want to try to relieve any severe pain, but we also want to save the affected tooth and stop tooth decay before it spreads to adjacent teeth. Even with the advent of implants, there is no substitute for your natural tooth. So reach out if you notice:<\/p>\n