Endodontic treatment, also known as root canal treatment, is a standard dental procedure used to treat tooth infections. This procedure helps in removing infected pulpal tissue inside a tooth. You need endodontic treatment when the tooth nerve and pulp become infected or inflamed. It eliminates the pain you experience because of a pulp infection. 

Pros And Cons Of Endodontic Treatment

Pros

• With root canal treatment done at the right time, it helps you keep your natural tooth. 
• Endodontic treatment helps in stopping toothaches that you have been experiencing because of pulp infection. 
• If you have gaps in your mouth, endodontic treatment prevents them and gives you an enhanced facial appearance. 

Cons

• Sometimes endodontic treatment weakens the tooth. It’s because dentists drill through the tooth to get the pulp and additional decay requires removing it. However, if the tooth is weak, dentists put a crown on it.
• Getting endodontic treatment done is sometimes lengthy, as it requires multiple appointments. 

Why Do I Need Endodontic Treatment?

The primary purpose of endodontic treatment is to be able to treat the infection that is situated at the center of a tooth. One of the obvious signs that you need endodontic treatment is when you experience severe toothache upon chewing or biting. Also, prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures is also a reason you might need endodontic treatment. In addition, you also need endodontic treatment for a root canal procedure if you have a prolonged cavity or crack that involves pulp space. If left untreated, an infected tooth results in tooth loss that can be saved because of root canal treatment. 

What Is The Normal Recovery Time From Endodontic Treatment? 

Most cases require a few days to recover from endodontic treatment. In the initial 24 to 48 hours, you might feel mild discomfort around the area. For this, your dentist will prescribe you medications that need to be consumed timely. 

Stages Of Endodontic Treatment 

Stage 1: Assessment and initial cleaning 

The first stage involves the evaluation of your tooth to confirm if there is any need for a root canal. It’s followed by initial cleaning to control the bacterial infection in the tooth. The dentist will make your tooth numb and will make a small opening on the top of the tooth to clean the root canal of the tooth. 

Stage 2: Follow-up cleaning and medication 

The second stage of endodontic treatment involves thoroughly cleaning the root canal to remove the remaining bacteria inside the tooth. Your dentist might also need to take X-rays to confirm the length of your root canal to ensure the entire canal is released. 

Stage 3: Filling the root canal

After cleaning the canal, the third stage of the treatment includes filling the root canal. Once your dentist sees that the root canal is free of bacteria completely, then they will start with the filling. Completing this stage will require 4-6 weeks after the second stage of your treatment.  

Endodontic Treatment Aftercare Tips

• Gargle with warm salted water 
• Wait to eat right away after the root canal treatment. 
• Have ice cream and use a cold compress in the area.
• You must wait till the numbness in your mouth goes away.
• Use over-the-counter pain medications as prescribed by your dentist. 

Conclusion 

Endodontic treatment is a simple procedure and saves your teeth from extraction. However, in some cases, you might need a tooth extraction if it’s infected. If you need endodontic treatment, you must visit your dentist immediately. Get endodontic treatment done before it’s too late, for it might give you a chance to save your tooth from getting extracted.