What is a root canal?
A root canal can save a badly damaged tooth by removing disease from the tooth’s canals, filling the canals, and placing a crown on the tooth to strengthen it.
Why does my tooth hurt so bad?
Whenever a tooth begins to ache, it is usually a result of a chain reaction that occurs when bacteria invades the tooth. The most common way bacteria invades a tooth is through a crack or a deep cavity. The by-products of this invasion cause the nerves to swell and block the blood flow to the tooth, causing a toothache.
As a result of the block of the blood flow to the tooth, eventually the nerves of the tooth will die, thus killing the tooth. The process of the bacteria invading and killing the tooth can take several weeks. During this time, patients often experience cold sensitivity around the tooth and can even be wakened at night by the pain. To repair the tooth and alleviate the pain, a root canal is necessary.
Eventually, once the nerve and tooth are completely dead, patients will no longer experience pain. However, without root canal treatment, more serious problems can occur. Infection will set in because the tooth is filled with dead materials. Pus builds up at the root tip, in the jawbone, forming a “pus-pocket” called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth. When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. Certain byproducts of the infection can injure your jawbone and without treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.
Why shouldn’t I just have the tooth removed?
When a tooth is removed and you are left with an open space, many problems can occur, unless you replace the missing tooth. The space left by a missing tooth may cause some teeth to tilt forward, or opposing teeth to move down – which is called over-eruption. The tilting of teeth creates areas between the teeth where food debris and bacteria collect. These areas are especially difficult to clean so tooth decay and gum disease often develop in these areas. Also, a missing tooth can create spaces between teeth, changing your bite and smile. When your teeth start shifting and drifting due to open spaces, it can lead to changes in your chewing muscles, bones and joints, making chewing difficult or painful.
Missing teeth can be replaced with a bridge or implants, but these procedures are more costly than simply restoring the tooth’s health with a root canal.
What should I expect from my root canal procedure?
Your treatment may take one or more visits. Your visits may last one to two hours, and you will receive a local anesthesia. A computerized measuring device is used to make sure the full length of your root canal is being treated. If your roots are unusually shaped or there are other complications, you may need to see a specialist to have an additional surgical procedure called an apicoectomy.
Cleaning and Shaping Your Root Canals
The first step in conducting a root canal is to make an opening in the tooth and remove any filling and decay. Then the unhealthy pulp is removed with tiny, flexible files. Using an electric handpiece, Dr. Omeltschenko will gently clean and smooth your canals to prepare them for the canal-filling materials.
Filling Your Root Canal
After the pulp has been removed from you root canals and they have been smoothed, your root canals will be filled. Dr. Omeltschenko will fill the canals with tiny cone-shaped pieces of gutta-percha, a firm rubber like material, on a plastic carrier. A sealer-cement is used to seal the filling material into place. A final x-ray is taken to insure that the canals are completely filled. If your tooth needs extra support, Dr. Omeltschenko may remove some gutta-percha and insert a post before the filling or crown are applied.
Restoring Your Tooth
After the inside of your tooth has been treated, the outside will be restored to protect your tooth’s underlying structures and give your tooth a healthy appearance. Dr. Omeltschenko will use a crown to restore the outside of the tooth. The crown is necessary to prevent fracture of the now weakened tooth.
Between Visits
If you need more than one visit for root canal therapy, your tooth may be protected by a temporary filling. In this case you should avoid foods like popcorn, carrots, candy and sticky food because they may loosen your temporary filling. Call Dr. Omeltschenko if your filling loosens or falls out, your gums swell, or your tooth is sore after several days.
How much does a root canal cost?
Restoring a tooth with a root canal can also involve other procedures, such as a crown and buildup. While dentist’s fees vary, in Cincinnati the average price range for a root canal only is $800 – $1,200. Usually to complete the treatment with a crown the range is $1,800 – $2,200.