64% of American adults aged 18-64 had at least one dental visit annually by the year 2017. Further, the number of American adults aged 20-44 with untreated dental caries has increased steadily over the last five years. These statistics are an indicator of the underlying dental concerns that continue to persist within the population.
With these growing concerns related to dental healthcare, more Americans are seeking possible options that can help keep their dental formula intact. This trend explains the ever-increasing popularity of root canal extraction as a modern solution to problem teeth.
You don’t have to replace your problem teeth with a false one. Read on to find out how root canal extraction works.
What Is Root Canal Extraction?
A smile is among the first things you notice in a person. But often cavities, worn-out tooth enamel, or a fractured tooth can cause a problem tooth. Previously, dentists opted for full tooth extractions rendering many people toothless.
With time, dentists discovered dental implanting where the false tooth root would undergo infusion with a jawbone. But this procedure was costly and complicated. Such complexities led to the need for a more efficient approach when handling problem teeth.
A root canal procedure has become a critical dental process in the dentistry practice over the years. The treatment is useful to repair and save a severely decaying tooth. A root canal is a part of the pulp extending into the root of a tooth.
A root canal extraction is a dental procedure used to treat a problem tooth. This is achievable with the removal of decaying contents of the root canal. Once the removal of the infected materials in the root canal is complete, the dentist then proceeds to fill the cavity with protective substances.
How Long Does a Tooth Canal Extraction Procedure Take?
Most times, a tooth canal procedure only takes one dental visit. Such a visit may last up to 90 minutes, with all factors held constant. But depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist may schedule two appointments.
The first visit may involve the removal of all infections from your root system. This reduces the risk of recurrence. During the second visit, your dentist will clean, disinfect, shape then fill your tooth. It’s safer to allow the dentist to take their time during the process to ensure a safe procedure.
For most dentists, these are some of the necessary steps followed during the procedure.
- Numbing Is Critical
Your dentists’ first order of business is to numb your tooth. The process involves the placing of a thin, elastic sheet of latex over the affected tooth to keep it dry once it’s numb. The dentist will then create an opening through the crown to the pulp chamber.
But how painful is a root canal? Well, a decaying root canal can cause nightmares if left untreated. Contrary to what most people think, though, the extraction procedure does not expose you to extreme pain. You’ll only experience some discomfort, which necessitates the need for numbing during the process.
- Removal of the Pulp
Once you’re numb, the dentist will proceed to remove the pulp or the nerve from the pulp chamber. This procedure is repeated on the canal of each chamber. Then your dentist will clean, shape, and disinfect each root canal before the filling process.
- Additional Medicine May Be Used
Depending on the extent of the infection, your dentist may place medicine around the affected root canal. Such an approach may also be helpful around the pulp chamber to adequately treat the decay.
- Filling
This is an essential step in the root canal extraction process. The standard filling material used in the filling process is gutta-percha. You may not have heard about it, but it’s a common natural polymer prepared from the percha tree.
In most cases, the endodontic technique is applicable during the filling process. The dentist uses a gutta-percha cone curved into the cleaned-out root canal. The dentist then uses the sealing cement to hold the cone in place.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
Often, patients do not realize they need root canal therapy until the situation reaches extremes. But it would help if you began the root canal therapy as soon as the soft tissues inside the root canal become inflamed. Unfortunately, most people do not treat a root canal procedure as a priority until the cavities lead to an abscess.
Severe pains while chewing or biting are the earliest indicators you need a root canal extraction procedure. Do you have pimples on the gums? This could be an indicator that you need urgent removal of the decaying content of the root canal.
Dentists also indicate that a chipped or cracked tooth may be a symptom that you may need a root canal procedure soon. In other cases, patients who end up requiring tooth canal therapy struggle with swollen or tender gums for long periods. If you are struggling with deep decays or darkening of gums with occasional tenderness, it may be time to source for root canal extraction.
How Much Does a Root Canal Therapy Cost?
Well, you may never get a specific answer to this question. The cost of root canal therapy varies depending on the complexities of the infection.
If your tooth decay is not as deep-rooted, the cost implications may be lower. Undertaking root canal procedures on molars will cost you more than you would incur when treating other types of teeth.
But a root canal procedure will cost you much less than you would spend on tooth extraction. Most dental insurance policies include root canal therapy as part of their coverage. Such an arrangement makes the treatment cost-effective for most people.
With a Safe Root Canal Procedure, Problem Teeth Have Nothing on You
You no longer have to agonize over painful cavities as you wait to raise enough cash to support a tooth replacement procedure.
With a safe root canal extraction, you can restore your natural dental formula without worrying about the cost implications. Only ensure that you consult a seasoned dentist while at it to avoid any regrets.
For more great content, explore our site further.
Leave A Comment