Everything To Know About Root Canal Infection

Dental root canals are a common dental infection.

Should you be concerned about root canal infection? Can a root canal infection be completely cured with root canal treatment? Does the treatment have any potential side effects?

This article will answer your questions regarding root canal infection and treatment. So, let's get started without wasting a moment.

What is a root canal infection?

The enamel, the outermost and hardest layer of our teeth, is followed by the dentin, the next softer and more porous layer, and the pulp, which is the deepest layer. 

The pulp is a group of tissues and blood vessels that feed and maintain the health of your tooth.

A root canal infection will develop when your teeth decay or suffer trauma. This injury enables harmful germs to penetrate your tooth's roots and reach the pulp.

The germs will spread to other oral regions after the pulp infection. Moreover, the germs spread quickly once they infect the pulp and can cause abscesses, gum infections, and pain throughout the jaw.

So, getting an evaluation and, if required, having a root canal treatment to preserve your tooth from extraction is best.

However, if you have passed all the stages of infection and your teeth are beyond repair, worry not. You can get veneers procedure and make your smile anew.

What are the main causes of root canal infections?

Root canal infections can develop as a result of the following:
The tooth's shape: Narrow or curved teeth can often complicate root canal shapes. So, diseased regions would go undiscovered during treatment.
Accessory Canals: Your tooth may have some additional canals that might harbour germs and lead to reinfection of the treated tooth.
Delay in capping a tooth: If a permanent filling or crown is not placed right after a root canal treatment, or if the filling develops a crack or break, germs will enter the canal and infect it.
Cavities: A new cavity may form immediately following, leading to reinfection.

Beware of the following warning signs of root canal infection

1. Tooth pain

A root canal infection leaves a trail of severe pain. When you bite down or apply pressure to the damaged tooth, the pain gets worse. Additionally, drinking or eating hot or cold things might make your teeth more sensitive.

2. Dark Tooth

The tooth will appear brown or yellow if the inner layer is infected. When the infection penetrates the roof tissue, it will change the tooth's color to dark brown.

3. Dental abscess

An abscess results when germs and decaying pulp material produce large, pus-filled pockets surrounding the tooth root. 

This manifests as an enlarged or persistent red lump or pimple on the gum that produces extreme uneasiness and poor smell. Moreover, the abscess may also begin to leak a foul-smelling substance.

Also read: All-on-4 Dental Implants Treatment: Everything To Get Effective Results!

How does root canal treatment helps ward off root canal infection?

Root canal treatment (Endodontics) is a dental technique used to treat infections inside the teeth. Root canal therapy can save a tooth that normally needs total extraction. Moreover, it is not painful.
The following three phases make up root canal treatment.

1. Root canal cleaning

The dentist starts by emptying the root canal of the damaged pulp tissue. For this, s/he creates a tiny hole on the tooth's surface while the patient is under local anaesthetic.

2. Root canal filling

The dentist cleans, disinfects, and shapes the space. The tooth is then filled with a rubber-like substance, and the root canals are sealed with adhesive cement.

After the root canal treatment, the tooth becomes dead because of the removal of nerve tissues along with infection. As a result, the patient will no longer feel pain in that area.

3. Adding a crown

The ligament holding a tooth to the bone must provide sustenance to a tooth without pulp. Although the supply is sufficient, the tooth will eventually become more fragile with time. Thus a crown or filling offers protection.

Conclusion

Our body typically fights infections quite well. However, the body cannot produce antibodies for the tooth. The odds of the tooth's nerves dying increase if the root canal becomes infected.

Nevertheless,root canal treatment can successfully save an infected or damaged tooth. Moreover, anaesthesia and new technology help make root canal procedures as comfortable as possible.