Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
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What Happens When You Need A Root Canal During Orthodontic Treatment?
Eleanor Crawford
Perhaps there's no ideal time to receive a root canal because it's never ideal to actually need one. On the other hand, the ideal time to receive a root canal is as soon as your dentist tells you that it's needed. But it would be dishonest to suggest that root canals are always a convenient form of treatment. You might be wondering—what happens when you need a root canal while you're wearing braces?
Removal of Your Dental Pulp
Of course, the best situation is to never need a root canal (regardless of whether you have braces or not). However, this procedure can become more complicated when you actually have braces. Root canals are required when the pulp (the nerve inside a tooth) has become irreversibly infected. Its removal eliminates your discomfort by removing the part of the tooth capable of feeling pain. In most cases, the need for a root canal stems from a breach in the tooth—a cavity that has been exposed the nerve to contaminants.
Avoiding the Need for a Root Canal
Keeping your teeth in the best possible condition is the most effective way to avoid the need for a root canal. But cleaning your teeth is more involved when you have braces. Your braces create more surface areas in your mouth, which creates more places where cariogenic bacteria (microorganisms that erode your teeth, leading to cavities) can accumulate. This is why anyone with braces should take advantage of the specialist cleaning products and implements that can help to clean teeth fitted with braces. But what happens when a root canal becomes unavoidable during your orthodontic treatment?
When a Root Canal Can't Be Avoided
Your orthodontist likely won't perform the root canal and will refer you back to your dentist. The target tooth must be temporarily separated from its neighbors. This is actually fairly simple. The bracket affixed to the tooth (which has the braces' archwire thread through it) will be detached. The tooth can then have its root canal performed. This process is fairly brief, but you will require a follow-up appointment to check that your treatment was successful. Once this has been confirmed, the tooth has its bracket reattached, is reconnected via the archwire, and your orthodontic work can continue without further interruption.
It's going to be irritating when you need a root canal during your orthodontic treatment, but at least it's possible (and not especially complicated). Ideally, you'll do everything you can to avoid this becoming a necessity, but if it does, your braces won't stand in the way of your needed dental work. Keep these tips in mind when looking for root canal services near you.
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