Root canal treatment for a broken tooth

Damage to teeth and gums, like chipped enamel, cracked teeth, broken teeth, or completely knocked-out teeth, is common. It can happen through many factors, like accidents, sports, or falling over.

These injuries may make the gum or the muscle more sensitive and cause potential issues and oral discomfort. One should treat it immediately otherwise it can get worse.

An experienced dentist would recommend the required treatment for the half-broken teeth and damaged gum. Nowadays, doctors are trying to save teeth through multiple treatments. This is because natural teeth function and look better than restored teeth and are more long-term in nature.  

In this blog, we will discuss one such dental method which is root canal treatment for a broken tooth.

When Should You opt for Root Canal Treatment for a Broken Tooth?

A Root Canal may be needed for a broken tooth if the crack extends to the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels.  If you experience any discomfort, you should schedule a dentist appointment immediately for root canal treatment in Patna.

Once you get a chipped or broken tooth it may be a chance that the exposure can result in infection as well as unbearable pain. This is one of the significant reasons why you need root canal treatment for a broken tooth. 

A root canal becomes vital where a cracked tooth exposes its inner pulp or nerve chamber, making the tooth prone to infection or further deterioration.

This mostly happens if the interment is deep and interferes with the firmness of the tooth. However, in some situations, bacteria penetrate the open pulp chamber causing inflammation, considerable pain, or even abscess formation.

Now that you know why a root canal treatment is helpful for a broken tooth. Let’s find out in detail about the procedure for root canal treatment for a fractured tooth.

The Root Canal Procedure for a Broken Tooth

A root canal is a dental procedure to save a damaged or broken tooth. This procedure involves the extraction of the pulp, cleaning the inner surface, and closing it to prevent further problems.

Signs of this treatment include pronounced pain, the tendency to hot and cold sensations, and inflammation close to the site of the injury. 

It starts with an X-ray to determine how severe the situation is and whether an infection has spread to the tooth's root. The dentist then applies local anesthetic to the affected tooth to reduce pain during the procedure. 

After that, the dentist uses specialized instruments to chisel an entranceway to the pulp chamber and root sinus in the tooth's crown. Then the dentist removes the infected pulp and cleans the canal to prepare it for further treatments. 

After the cleaning, the dental expert will fill them with material, gutta-percha which closes the canal opening. 

Last, of all, he will use a crown as a final treatment to protect the tooth and also to get it back to its functional use.

The procedure involves ensuring that teeth are functional and disease-free as the procedure is complete. 

However, still many people question the safety of this procedure, which has given rise to many myths about root canals.

That’s why to help you be more confided about his procedure we are going discuss its benefits. 

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment for a Broken Tooth

Once you understand the procedure of a root canal, you will appreciate the benefits of opting for it for a broken tooth. The first benefit of the treatment is that it maintains the natural tooth.

While the extraction removes the entire tooth the root canal simply removes only the affected pulp from the tooth. This is useful in avoiding the misalignment of teeth, that is shifting or bite problems. Here are some of the additional benefits of having root canal treatment for broken teeth: 

  • Pain Relief: It also helps to overcome the excruciating pain caused by infected or inflamed pulp.
  • Infection Prevention: This in a way eliminates chances of passing the disease to other teeth or jawbone.
  • Improved Function: It allows a person to eat well like chewing food and even speaking fluently.
  • Enhanced Appearance: A root canal if done in combination with a crown or a filling, will leave the tooth looking normal.
  • Faster Recovery: It usually takes less time for one to recover from a root canal than a tooth extraction.

All in all, root canal treatment is a satisfactory method for fractured teeth since it holds functional and aesthetic value. Apart from the root canal treatment, there are also some alternatives you can try for broken teeth apart from the root canal treatment. 

Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment

Nonetheless, a root canal is a very successful procedure used to treat broken teeth, though other procedures may also be used depending on the state of the tooth.

Here is an overview of various possible solutions you can try as alternatives to a root canal on a broken tooth:

  • Tooth Extraction: If the tooth is bad or beyond repair the dentist may remove it. After tooth extraction, the dental implant, bridge, or denture can be installed for replacement.
  • Pulp Capping: If the canal is open to the oral cavity but not infected, a protective lining material is placed to encourage pulp healing and hard tissue covering of the tooth.
  • Apicoectomy: This minor surgery involves cutting off the end of the tooth’s root and any surrounding soft tissue.

These options are usually explored when doing a root canal is impossible. However, root canal treatment is the best for broken teeth as it preserves the natural teeth. While having the root canal treatment you need to do some aftercare for better recovery. 

Recovery & Aftercare

After the root canal procedure for a broken tooth, minimal complications can occur if the individual follows adequate post-treatment care.

Some patients may feel only mild discomfort or sensitivity in the treated area, which may be relieved using over-the-counter pain relievers. Do not chew with the treated tooth until a permanent crown is put back to prevent further damage.

The regular bad practice includes cleaning the mouth by brushing and flossing and if recommended by a dentist, using an antibacterial mouthwash. The use of a soft-food diet for a few days is helpful as they don't stress teeth a lot.

Follow with all tips to avoid root canal treatment and appointments in the next months to check the status of the tooth and healing process. Also, remember to choose the best dental clinic in Patna for your treatment. This is because high-quality treatment will help you to avoid complications, recover faster, and have long-lasting results.

Conclusion

Root canal treatment for a broken tooth is quite effective in making it functional and beautiful once again. Following the procedure, you should adhere to the advice of a dentist and have good hygiene.

Also, you should have a regular checkup to ensure the health of the restored tooth. Though the process might sound complicated, it forestalls the development of further problems.

The side effects of this treatment shouldn’t be alarming. However, if you feel any discomfort or have any worries, please see your dentist for further advice.

If you are looking for a good dentist in Patna, contact Dr. Sachin Kumar. He is a well-qualified, experienced dental expert who provides top-quality root canal treatments.