Monday, June 16, 2014

Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy And Signs That Indicate You Need Therapy

Root canal therapy (also known as endodontic treatment) is a form of dental treatment, in which damaged or infected tooth pulp is replaced with a filling. Contrary to any misconceptions, this procedure is safe and highly effective. In fact, such treatment offers more benefits than simply restoring your teeth: a 2013 research, documented in JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, revealed that patients who had multiple root canal treatments, had a 45% reduced risk of getting cancer.

Benefits Of Root Canal Therapy

The option of saving natural teeth, rather than replacing them with dental implants, has several benefits, including: efficient chewing and a natural appearance of the mouth. This means that you'll have a natural smile that is bound to boost your self-esteem.

Saving the affected teeth also protects other teeth that may be indirectly affected through excessive wear and strain. Preserved natural teeth also mean that your natural sensations are maintained as well as the normal biting force. This means that you can continue eating and enjoying your favorite foods. Most of all, a natural set of teeth would require less on-going dental work, as opposed to artificial dental implants.

However, for successful root canal treatment, you must identify tooth pulp damage as early as possible. This will enable treatment before the condition gets too advanced.

Signs Of Tooth Pulp Damage

A variety of symptoms present useful indicators of tooth pulp damage. Better Health Channel identifies some of these signs as:

(i) Unprovoked or spontaneous pain: This is perhaps the clearest sign of damage to tooth pulp or more specifically inflammation of tooth pulp (Pulpitis). This inflammation may be caused either by deep decay, faulty crowns, repeated dental procedures, a chip or crack on the tooth, tooth grinding (bruxism), bacterial infection, repetitive trauma or even Periodontitis (inflammatory infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth). The resulting inflammation builds up pressure within the pulp cavity, affecting the tooth nerve. Pain experienced during this pressure build-up is due to the fact that tooth pulp is surrounded by hard tissue called dentin, which prevents dissipation of the accumulated pressure.

At times, the increased blood flow, characteristic of inflammation, can lead to excessive pain of the tooth. In such an instance, referred pain may occur, which is a state in which you have difficulty locating where the pain is coming from. Most likely, you would also experience pain when chewing or biting and sensitivity to cold and hot drinks or foods.

(ii) Facial swelling

(iii) Loosening of the tooth

(iv) Oozing of pus around the affected tooth

(v) Swelling of the gums near affected teeth

(vi) Discoloration of teeth: This is also an indicator of damage to tooth pulp. However, you should realize that traumatized teeth would only discolor after a long time. This may take days, weeks or even years. Therefore, you should not wait to see such a symptom before visiting your dentist. With regular dental visits, you'll be assured of early root canal therapy on infected teeth.

(vii) In some instances, no visible symptoms may occur. Hence, only x-rays or special tests by a qualified dentist would help uncover the damage on your tooth. This further exemplifies the need for regular dental checkups.

Be Well Dental offers a professional, highly-qualified and deeply-passionate team of dentists to treat, restore and maintain your teeth. To get more ideas about root canal therapy visit http://www.bewelldental.com.au/service/root-canal-therapy/.
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