The Root Canal: Is It the Best Option or Is There Another Way?

Root canal. Medieval torture. Both phrases make even the bravest of us a little queasy, but root canals are actually legal. Our natural response to, "You need a root canal," is, "Do I have to?"

If you have ever considered putting up with an aching tooth forever just to avoid a root canal, this article is for you. Stick around and find out if root canals are necessary or just one of Satan's little amusements. We will also explore root canal procedure options.

What good can come of a root canal?

A root canal is needed if the pulp deep inside the tooth becomes infected because of an injury or untreated cavity. The infamous pain of a root canal is actually the pain that comes before the procedure takes place. A root canal allows the removal of the damaged part of the tooth (and thus, the pain) while keeping its outer structure. It is also a cheaper, shorter process compared to tooth extraction. Also, most insurance plans cover root canals.

With proper care, the restored tooth can last a lifetime without further work.

How is a root canal done?

With modern methods, a root canal is relatively painless. The first thing the dentist does is numb the tooth with local anesthesia. The rest of the process goes like this:

• To keep the tooth clean and dry, the dentist isolates the tooth with a small sheet of rubber known as a dental dam
• With a small drill, the dentist opens the surface of the tooth to gain access to the infected inner tooth
• The dentist then removes the damaged and infected pulp and files down the insides of the tooth to accommodate the filling that will replace the removed pulp
• Next, the dentist cleans out the inside of the tooth with sterile water, removing any remaining pulp
• Finally, the dentist disinfects and dries the tooth and puts in a temporary filling
• After a few weeks, a permanent crown replacement is put in; if taken care of, the tooth will last a lifetime

What are the alternatives?

The best alternative is to make sure that one never needs a root canal. This means taking care of one's teeth and wearing a mouth guard when playing contact sports. If prevention fails, other options are:

1. Tooth extraction and replacement

Another option is the removal of the entire tooth. After extraction, a dental implant can be put in. It may take more time and money than a root canal, but a dental implant encourages bone and tissue growth. Truthfully speaking, however, an extraction is a more uncomfortable procedure than a root canal.

2. Irrigation and disinfection of the pulp

Ozone gas can be used to irrigate the infected pulp. The gas reaches past the drilled area right into the little tubes that run from the enamel to the pulp. Ozone gas kills the bacteria in the pulp. However, there is no way of preventing future infection.

Calcium hydroxide is also used to irrigate the infected pulp. It kills the bacterial infection and dissolves any dead tissue in the tooth. Because it is toxic, calcium hydroxide is applied carefully with a syringe or small file.

Disinfection of the pulp is not widely considered as a long-term solution because re-infection could always happen. That said, it is the least invasive alternative there is.

Scientific advances in anesthesia and painkillers make a root canal quite painless. If you have a tooth that is infected, the best option is to have a permanent procedure done. Contact one of our dentists to learn more about root canals.

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