Root Canal Treatment Specialist
Here’s everything you need to know about root canal treatment in Kuala Lumpur
What is a root canal treatment?
The root canal treatment is a procedure to clean out the root canal system of a tooth by removing infected and non-vital tissue. This will be followed by full disinfection with safe chemical irrigation using endodontics equipment by our specialist. An inert material is then filled into the root canal system and the tooth is subsequently restored.
The root canal treatment process can typically be completed in one or two visits, depending on the pre-existing state of infection. Our trained dentists at KL Dental Implant Clinic would conduct an examination to assess the extent of decay or infection on the teeth and take dental periapical radiographs to evaluate the condition of the remaining tooth structure and the surrounding bone. Thereafter, our dentist can determine if root canal treatment is suitable for the affected tooth. Most teeth are suitable to undergo root canal treatment. In the event of inadequate remaining tooth structure, inadequate bone support or severe fractures, however, the chances of a successful treatment are slim. The dentist will then suggest extraction as an alternative method to deal with this.
Simply book an appointment with us at KL Dental Implant Clinic to get an informed opinion about your suitability for a root canal treatment today by clicking below.
This treatment aims to alleviate tooth pain and address any existing infections or damage that the treated tooth may have.
When is a root canal needed?
A root canal is performed when the soft inner part of a tooth, known as the pulp, is injured or becomes inflamed or infected. The crown of the tooth — the part you can see above your gums — can remain intact even if the pulp is dead. Removing injured or infected pulp is the best way to preserve the structure of the tooth.
Common causes of damage to the pulp include:
+ deep decay due to an untreated cavity
+ multiple dental procedures on the same tooth
+ a chip or crack in the tooth
+ an injury to the tooth (you might injure a tooth if you get hit in the mouth; the pulp can still be damaged even if the injury doesn’t crack the tooth)
The most common symptoms of damaged pulp include pain in your tooth, and swelling and a sensation of heat in your gums. Your dentist will examine the painful tooth and take X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist if they think you need a root canal.
Root canal treatment is a procedure to clean out the root canal system of a tooth by removing infected and non-vital tissue.
Follow-up after your root canal treatment
What to expect after your root canal treatment?
In the past, root canal procedures were extremely painful. This is one reason why people sometimes avoided such procedures. However, dentists now have pain-relieving measures that can be used to reduce the amount of pain you experience during the procedure.
Before the process begins, your selected dentist at KL Dental Implant Clinic will apply a local anaesthetic that minimises pain. You might still feel pressure during the cleaning, but you shouldn’t be in pain during the actual procedure.
As the local anesthetic wears off after the root canal, you might experience mild pain and sensitivity. This is related to the cleaning process. During the cleaning process, your dentist makes a small opening in the crown of the tooth and cleans out diseased pulp inside the pulp chamber of the tooth. While uncomfortable, any pain and sensitivity following a root canal should only last a few days.
Since the pain experienced after a root canal is usually mild, you’ll likely only need over-the-counter pain medications for relief. These could typically be acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB). You’ll want to check with your doctor before taking these medications to make sure they don’t interact with any supplements or prescriptions you already take.
You should also avoid chewing hard foods immediately following the root canal, as this can induce more pain. Don’t also forget to maintain your oral health by brushing, gargling and flossing regularly.