Huntington Beach has close to 200,000 people living in the city. Many more come in every year to visit the renowned beaches that stretch 15.3 kilometers. A certain percentage of people would need to undergo root canal surgery at some point in time.
But the majority of them are too hesitant to visit an endodontist in Huntington Beach. As revealed in a 2019 survey of 1000 adults, 57% of respondents said they would rather spend 1 hour inside a room with 10 spiders than undergo a root canal procedure.
The main reason for that hesitation is the lack of knowledge on what exactly goes on in an endodontics root canal treatment. In this article, you’ll learn about the entire process.
What is a Root Canal exactly?
Let’s start with the absolute basics. Root canal procedure refers to the treatment of the inside of the tooth.. It is beneath the white enamel that is visible from the outside. A dentist or endodontist will treat the layer between the enamel and dentin. This middle layer is called the pulp and contains nerves and blood vessels.
While all of these may sound complicated and painful, the actual process isn’t. Not only is it painless, but the success ratio is also high.
How Is A Root Canal Surgery Performed?
A root canal surgery is performed by a specialist known as an endodontist. While a general dentist is also capable of carrying out the surgery, at times, an endodontist becomes necessary. They possess advanced knowledge and training to perform such tasks. Here’s how the root canal surgery is performed:
- Radiography
The first step in a root canal surgery is taking a radiograph of the tooth using X-rays. This reveals the part of the tooth that needs to be corrected. The endodontist will then administer local anesthesia to make that part numb. This is followed by placing a “dental dam” over the area to be treated to isolate it.
- Cleaning the Pulp
Once the dam is placed, the endodontist then makes a precise, tiny opening on the crown. After it is open, then specialized machines take over and clean the pulp from the pulp chamber. They also size up space, which will be filled in the next step.
- Filling the Root Canal
Once the endodontist is satisfied with space, he/she starts to fill the void with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. It is then sealed with an adhesive cement to close the opening. That’s it, and the root canal procedure is complete.
- Restoration
The filling in the previous step is temporary and is supposed to be removed. You’ll be visiting the endodontist or general dentist to get it removed. Then he will place the crown back to complete the restoration process.
Depending on the procedure’s complexity, you’d have to return multiple times to ensure full functionality.
For a few days post the surgery, you’ll experience swelling and sensitivity. But as time passes by and the layer heals, you’ll start feeling normal and even better.
A specialist will make the surgical procedure as seamless as possible. You must spot the symptoms early and follow up with an experienced endodontist in Huntington Beach. Always check for local clinics if you’re in Huntington because this will reduce the commute time. Most patients drive back and go to work the very next day.