A root canal is a procedure used to treat a tooth that has been infected or damaged by removing the nerve at the center of a tooth, known as the root. The goal is to remove all of the infected material while preserving as much of the tooth as possible. The most common cause of a tooth being infected is when bacteria build up inside the tooth and cause a deep infection. This causes a lot of pain and can sometimes lead to the tooth being abscessed, which is when the infection breaks through the tooth and causes a large pocket of infected pus in the surrounding area. The only way to treat a tooth that is infected is to perform a root canal, which is a way of cleaning out the infected area and restoring the tooth so that it can function normally again.

Root canals are complex procedures with several steps involved, including:

• Step 1: Diagnosing the Infected Pulp — The dentist will start off by examining the patient’s teeth, then taking one or two x-rays to determine the extent of the inflammation and tooth decay. Because advanced technology is required to understand the situation entirely, only experienced dentists can perform root canal treatments.
• Step 2: Numbing the Area — Using a needle, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. If the pulp inside the tooth is inflamed, it may take a few minutes for the area to become numb; the dentist will not continue with the procedure until it is.
• Step 3: Remove the Infected Pulp Inside Tooth — After the area has been anesthetized, the dentist drills a hole on the top of the tooth to remove the infected pulp and bacteria; this helps the dentist access the pulp chamber and root inside the tooth. They will then use surgical tools to clean out the root canal and the pulp chamber; to ensure no infection is left to cause pain, they may also apply antiseptic/antibiotics. To get rid of any leftover bacteria or residual material, the dentist will use sodium hypochlorite or water.
• Step 4: Filling a New Root Filler — To fill the canals, the dentist will use a material called gutta-percha (a hard, tough thermoplastic material). It is placed inside the canals and later heated, then compressed to fit against the walls of the tooth. Using adhesive cement, the dentist will seal the canals to keep bacteria away.
• Step 5: Restoring the Tooth — A few weeks after the original root canal treatment, patients need to return to have the temporary filling removed. The dentist will then put a permanent filling over the treated tooth, making the tooth as strong as it was before it got infected; this serves as a restoration to the tooth and also prevents future infection.

A root canal may be needed when:

• There is severe pain in a tooth
• There are bumps on the gums
• Sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
• The gums are swollen
• The gums have darkened
• Teeth are chipped or cracked
• Gums are tender
• An abscess is present

After a root canal, it is normal to experience some pain; a dentist may prescribe pain-relievers in order to minimize any discomfort. The pain from a root canal should not persist longer than a few days; if it does, contact your dentist as soon as possible. Daniel Dental Studio is dedicated to making each root canal treatment as painless and easy as possible. Call us for more information, or request an appointment online today with our root canals treatment specialist! We are conveniently located at 515 West Ave Suite R, Norwalk CT, 06850. We serve patients from Norwalk CT, Stamford CT, Westport CT, Darien CT, Rowayton CT, Wilton CT, New Caanan CT, Fairfield CT, and Bridgeport, CT.