Root Canal Treatment, Yay or Nay!

As a Dental Nurse, I have seen different cases of patients crying because of toothache. It is really the hardest to tolerate.

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A Root Canal Treatment is used to repair or save a badly decayed or infected tooth. During the procedure, A pulp or nerve is removed which causes the pain, it is being cleaned and sealed after.

How painful is root canal?

Expect the procedure to be painful especially on the first visit where the pulp or nerve is not yet removed. Prior to the procedure, The Endodontist(Root Canal specialist) might prescribed antibiotic analgesics.

Is the pain worth it?

The most common question is whether to extract the tooth which is the fastest way to remove the pain, Or Come visit the clinic 3 times to finish the whole treatment. Both will need local anesthesia prior to the procedure.

Like any procedure, complication may appear. Like one of my patient, Her Root canal treatment didn't become successful because the GP(the white- color inside the tooth) over-extended.If the patient will not feel pain, we usually leave it as it is, but if the patient experience pain and develop abscess, the only way left is to extract the tooth.

If you decide to extract the tooth, An implant or bridge will come after to fill up the space.If you choose the root canal treatment, a crown is needed on top of the tooth treated. Once your tooth is root canal treated, you will not feel any pain at all but the catch is, your tooth will become brittle so a crown or cap is really necessary.

Photos are mine using my asus zenfone3