Root Canal Treatment in Bahawalpur: What to Expect, Step by Step
Published · Dental Stories, Bahawalpur
“Root canal” is one of the most feared phrases in dentistry, mostly because of old stories. Modern root canal treatment is done under local anaesthetic, and its purpose is to save a tooth that would otherwise need to come out. Here is what actually happens.
Signs you might need a root canal
Only an examination and X-ray can tell, but common signs include:
- Toothache that wakes you at night or lingers after hot or cold.
- Pain when biting.
- A swelling or a small pimple on the gum near a tooth.
- A tooth that has darkened after an injury.
Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the problem shows up on an X-ray.
What the treatment does
Inside each tooth is the pulp, soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay or a crack lets bacteria in, the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Root canal treatment removes that pulp, cleans and shapes the canals inside the roots, and seals them so bacteria can’t return.
Step by step
- The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic.
- A thin rubber sheet (rubber dam) may be placed to keep the tooth dry and clean.
- The dentist makes a small opening and removes the infected pulp.
- The canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected, with X-rays to check length.
- The canals are filled and sealed, and the tooth gets a filling.
Depending on the tooth and infection, this can take one visit or several.
Does it hurt?
The aim is to relieve pain, not cause it. With the area numb, most people feel pressure rather than pain. The tooth can be tender for a few days afterwards, which normal painkillers usually manage. If swelling or severe pain develops, contact the clinic.
Why a crown often follows
A tooth that has had root canal treatment, especially a back tooth, is more likely to crack because it has lost a lot of structure. A crown covers and protects it. Your dentist will tell you whether yours needs one.
Learn more or book
See our pages on root canal treatment and dental crowns, or book online with Dr. Samreen Ejaz.