If you’ve been told you need a root canal, it’s natural to feel a bit of “dental dread.” However, the modern reality is far different from the old myths; the procedure is designed to stop pain, not cause it.
Think of it as a deep cleaning for the inside of your tooth. Here is the step-by-step journey from the patient’s chair:
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Total Numbing
The first priority is comfort. Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to completely numb the tooth and the surrounding gums. Once you’re numb, you might feel some pressure, but you shouldn’t feel any sharp pain. -
Isolation and Access
A small protective sheet called a “dental dam” is placed around the tooth. This keeps the area dry and prevents bacteria in your saliva from entering the tooth. The dentist then creates a small opening in the top (crown) of the tooth to reach the damaged pulp. -
Cleaning the Canals
Using very fine, flexible instruments, the dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp tissue. They then use antiseptic solutions to flush out debris and kill any remaining bacteria within the tiny “root canals.” -
Shaping and Sealing
Once the canals are clean, they are widened and shaped to prepare them for filling. The hollow space is then filled with a biocompatible, rubber-like material called gutta-percha and sealed with adhesive cement.
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The Final Restoration
A temporary filling is usually placed to close the opening. In most cases, because the tooth is now more brittle, you will return later for a permanent crown to protect the tooth and restore it to full function.
MBH/PS