Many people hope that an unpleasant toothache will just go away. But if the pain is throbbing, deep and doesn't respond well to painkillers, it's not just sensitivity, it's inflammation of the tooth root. And although this sounds scary, it doesn't mean the tooth is lost. Root canal treatment is precisely to save what you can.
An inflamed tooth does not get better on its own
Tooth root infection always starts with an infection. Bacteria reach the soft tissue inside the tooth - the pulp - and cause inflammation. If this is not treated in time, the process spreads deeper, the pulp dies and the inflammation can spread to the bone. In this case, a „filling” or medication is no longer enough, the best solution is root canal treatment.
Fortunately, most of these teeth available at. The sooner you see a doctor, the better the chance that you won't need to have a pull.
Warning signs of tooth root infection
The body often gives a signal before the trouble gets bigger, it just needs to be heard.
These are the most common symptoms:
- Persistent, throbbing pain that becomes worse when lying down
- Sensitivity to cold or heat that does not go away for a long time
- Swelling of the gums, redness around the tooth
- Pain when chewing
- Discoloration of the tooth, appearance of a darker shade
If you have more than one of these, the best thing you can do is to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.
Root canal treatment to save the tooth
During the root canal treatment, the dentist uses a special machine to remove the inflamed or dead gum and disinfect the root canals containing the gum.
Once the root canal has been cleaned, a final root canal seal is created to close the canals and eliminate the source of pain.
Because root canal treatment often involves removing a significant amount of tooth material, these teeth become more fragile. In such cases, the dentist can either reinforce the crown with inlays or restore the tooth's original function and aesthetics with a post and crown.
Thanks to the anaesthesia, the procedure is completely painless and aims to preserve the tooth rather than remove it.
After treatment, the tooth functionally complete remains, which means you can chew with it as before.
Modern root canal treatment does not hurt
Many people still think of root canal treatment as a long, painful procedure.
The reality is quite different, however, as thanks to today's technologies and modern anaesthesia methods, the treatment completely painless.
After the procedure, there may be some mild tenderness, but this will pass quickly and can be treated with simple painkillers.
For most patients, it's more of a relief - the dull, throbbing pain that had been plaguing them for weeks is gone.
The treated tooth can be preserved for a long time
After the root canal treatment, the cleaned tooth should be sealed and often reinforced with a crown or filling to ensure that it can continue to be safely loaded.
Once this has happened, the tooth can last for years or even decades.
Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene are important for long-term success.
After treatment, the root canal tooth will require brushing, flossing and periodic scaling, just like other teeth.
When the tooth can no longer be saved
Sometimes the inflammation is so severe that the root can no longer be treated.
In such cases, tooth extraction is unavoidable, but it's not the end of the world - there are now several modern solutions for tooth replacement.
We have written about these in previous articles: for example, in about dental implants and traditional tooth replacements, that provide a natural look and perfect functionality.
Root canal treatment is not a punishment - it's an opportunity
An inflamed tooth root does not automatically mean tooth loss.
With modern root canal treatment, you can save your own tooth, avoid tooth extraction and regain a pain-free, healthy smile for years to come.
Don't delay if a tooth is sore, swollen or tender - even the slightest complaint can be a sign that inflammation has started. Register for a consultation!