Our teeth consist of dentin and enamel that enclose the innermost part of the tooth, the dental pulp. The pulp consists of nerves and blood vessels and, just like other parts of the body, can be affected by infection. An infection in the dental pulp means in most cases that the tooth will need to be treated with a root canal. The infected tissue is removed and the cavity is replaced with a rubber material called gutta-percha.
Many people associate the term root canal with pain, and there are many horror stories surrounding this particular treatment. But the truth is that for almost everyone, the treatment is virtually pain-free. Most people experience no major discomfort during root canals. They feel no pain or discomfort except that the anesthesia may feel slightly uncomfortable and that the treatment takes a long time. A root canal should not have to mean pain, and with proper anesthesia and skilled dentists, the procedure is essentially painless.
Don’t let other people’s horror stories influence you. Come to us at TandCity, your private dentist in Malmö, and let us give you a better experience. We provide you with the best possible dental care with the help of skilled staff and the latest root canal technology.
Root Canal? Treatment at Private Dentist in Malmö
Many of the stories we hear about root canals being performed with large equipment, pain, and rough-handed dentists are not at all current. With today’s modern technology, a root canal should not be a painful procedure.
For those with an infected or damaged dental pulp, a root canal may save the tooth. Simply explained, the root canal involves opening the tooth and locating all canals with nerves and blood vessels. The canals are then cleaned out and filled with a rubber material. Depending on how extensive the damage has been, the tooth is subsequently equipped with a crown or with a composite filling.
A root canal may be needed if the tooth’s nerves are damaged by bacteria or if the nerves become exposed to the oral cavity, for example, if you break off a piece of the tooth so that the dental pulp is exposed. Bacteria that reach the pulp (caries) can be the result of poor oral hygiene. If you often neglect tooth brushing and simultaneously have a high sugar intake, the caries bacteria will gradually begin to “eat away at the tooth.” After a certain time, the bacteria reach the dental pulp, which often results in pain. Sometimes no acute pain occurs, but the nerve dies slowly, and discomfort only arises when the bacteria infect the surrounding jawbone.
The treatment involves opening up the tooth and cleaning out the infected nerves and blood vessels in the dental pulp’s canals. The canals are rinsed clean and the cavity that forms is filled with a material called gutta-percha. Sometimes the cleaning of the canals and the root canal can be completed in one visit, and sometimes two visits are needed—one where the cleaning is done and one where the root canal is performed. In the meantime, the patient has a medicinal insert in the canals that kills remaining bacteria. The dentist determines on a case-by-case basis what is appropriate.
Visit a Private Dentist in Malmö for These Symptoms
It is common to associate root canals with pain. This is not particularly strange since it involves a damaged nerve. A damaged nerve can be preceded by several different signs and symptoms, or in some cases no symptoms at all. The tooth’s nerves can therefore die without any pain occurring. Sometimes a slight ache is perceived that then disappears, but in many cases the person in question has had no symptoms at all. Some feel discomfort only when the bacteria have traveled out into the surrounding jawbone and caused inflammation. Others learn about the problem only during a regular examination at the dentist.
If bacteria from an infected nerve reach the jawbone, the infection can spread to neighboring teeth and in the worst case lead to several teeth needing root canals. Sometimes the infection takes the path out through the gums and a small blister or opening forms where the pus from the infection can drain. In these cases, the person often experiences swelling and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
A root-filled tooth is a weakened tooth and in many cases needs to be reinforced with a ceramic crown after the root canal is completed. The ceramic crown surrounds the tooth crown like a “cap” and protects the tooth from breaking. If a large part of the natural tooth crown remains after the root canal or if the tooth’s long-term prognosis is very uncertain, one can choose to make a composite filling instead of a ceramic crown. A composite filling is cheaper in price but not as durable in the long run.
An early sign of caries can be sensitivity. The sensitivity often occurs when drinking or eating cold or sweet foods and when being out in cold air. Tooth sensitivity does not necessarily mean caries but can also be caused by exposed tooth necks or cracks in the teeth. To be safe, it is always better to visit a dentist for problems with sensitivity, regardless of the cause. If it turns out to be a cavity in the tooth, the bacteria can hopefully be removed before they have reached the dental pulp, and in this way we save the tooth from a root canal.
It is important to visit your dentist at early signs of toothache. If you treat dental problems in time, you avoid acute pain and the prognosis for treatment is usually better. By regularly visiting your dentist and dental hygienist, early signs of diseases in the mouth can be found, and in this way many acute situations can be avoided. Our dentists in Malmö are happy to receive you for regular checkups and teeth cleanings as well as for acute problems.
Preventive Dental Visits
In dental care, many treatments are performed preventively, and by regularly visiting your dentist and dental hygienist, you increase your chances of good oral health. Daily care of our teeth is also very important and preventive. To prevent diseases such as caries and periodontitis, it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to regularly use dental floss. In most cases, an electric toothbrush provides significantly better cleaning than a regular manual toothbrush. At your dentist or dental hygienist, you can receive information about how to best care for your mouth.
Many people feel discomfort before a dental visit. Even though it may feel tempting to skip your appointment and hope that you have no problems with your teeth, it is neither a particularly good nor long-term solution. Those who have had severe toothache probably recognize this and regret not going to the dentist in time. The same is true with root canals. It is a problem that is best addressed as soon as possible. Immediately after treatment, the patient often feels great relief from being free of the pain.
If you have problems with your teeth, make sure the problems do not develop and become worse than they need to be. It is important to confront the problems as soon as possible and to find a dentist who can help you. Healthy and well-functioning teeth are a large and important part of our well-being. Problems with teeth negatively affect daily life but are simple things to avoid.
For Those with Dental Anxiety
It is not uncommon to feel vulnerable when sitting in the dentist’s chair. You may be afraid of the pain you think will come or of the feeling of not having control over the situation. Visit us and explain your situation, and we will take care of you in the best way.
There is an opportunity to receive professional help without the dental care cost becoming too expensive or the treatment becoming painful. Contact TandCity—your private dentist in Malmö. We offer a wide range of treatments including teeth grinding, emergency dental care, root canals, orthodontics, and placement of dental implants. Experience a dental visit and a root canal without pain. Welcome.
“The text above is written for online marketing purposes. The opinions are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TandCity.”
