A fractured tooth can make you feel pain when biting or chewing. It can also make you sensitive to cold or hot foods.

If any of these symptoms persist, it is best to consult your dentist or endodontist. And he or she may recommend a root canal to treat your condition.

A root canal treatment procedure involves the removal of the pulp, the soft center of the tooth. The latter is made up of connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels, and specialized cells that provide your tooth with essential nutrients. Removing a damaged pulp is the best way to restore the health of your tooth.  

Learn more about this procedure – from how it is done to what you should do after the treatment.

Steps of a Root Canal

A root canal is done in a clinic or dental office, which may be completed in one or two visits. After your dentist or endodontist examines your tooth to know the nature and extent of damage, he or she will perform the following steps:

1. A numbing medication will be placed on the gum or area near your affected tooth. Once the medication has taken effect, your dentist or endodontist will inject a local anesthetic into your gums. By doing so, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. It also will help you feel more at ease and relaxed.
2. Next, to remove the pulp, your endodontist or dentist will make a small opening or an access hole in the top of your tooth. And once the infected pulp is exposed, he or she will carefully remove it as well as the bacteria and related debris using special tools called root canal files.
3. Once the damaged pulp has been removed, your tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. And to prevent reinfection, your tooth will be filled and sealed with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha.
4. The root canal treatment procedure will be finished by placing a temporary filling in the exterior hole of your tooth to keep out saliva and prevent it from damaging the canals.
5. The final step may involve a return to your dentist or endodontist where he or she will place a crown to restore your tooth and prevent it from breaking.

Recovery from Root Canal

You may be wondering if you can go right back to your usual activities like eating after the procedure or returning to work? Fortunately, you can resume daily activities following the procedure. But for eating, you may want to wait until your tooth no longer feels numb. Also, it’s best to eat soft foods, such as bananas, cooked vegetables, pasta, soft bread, and yogurt.

The Bottom Line

Getting a root canal treatment procedure can save your tooth and help you enjoy its benefits for the rest of your life. Still, the result will only last if you properly take care of your teeth. So, be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly. And above all, make time for dental checkups.