Root canal treatment, also known as endodontics, is a dental procedure that treats infected or damaged tooth pulp. The procedure involves removing the infected pulp and filling the tooth with a root filling.

Steps of the procedure

1. X-rays: The dentist takes X-rays to assess the damage and plan the treatment.
2. Local anesthetic: The dentist numbs the tooth and surrounding gum.
3. Rubber dam: A rubber sheet is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and protect it from chemicals.
4. Drill: The dentist drills through the crown of the tooth to access the pulp.
5. Remove pulp: The dentist uses small instruments to remove the infected pulp.
6. Clean and shape canals: The dentist cleans and enlarges the canals with endodontic files.
7. Fill and seal: The dentist fills and seals the root canal with a filling or crown.

Success rate

• Root canal treatment is usually successful, with about 90% to 95% of people having a functional tooth after treatment.

When to consider a root canal

• Tooth sensitivity, especially to hot and cold
• Severe pain when chewing or biting
• Pimples on the gums
• A chipped or cracked tooth

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder treatments include self-care, medication, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Self-care

• Rest the jaw joint
• Eat soft foods
• Avoid teeth clenching, gum chewing, and nail biting
• Apply ice or heat to the face
• Practice good posture
• Try jaw stretching and relaxation exercises

Medication

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
• Take short-term prescription pain medicines

Physical therapy

• Stretch and strengthen jaw muscles
• Try ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Other treatments

• Wear an orthopedic appliance or mouthguard
• Learn stress-reducing techniques
• Try counseling to learn about behaviors that worsen pain

Surgery

• A surgeon can perform keyhole surgery to reshape bone, remove scar tissue, or reposition the disk in the joint
• Open-joint surgery may be necessary if keyhole surgery isn't an option

Surgical treatments are controversial and often irreversible. Simple treatments may be all that is necessary because many jaw joint and muscle problems are temporary.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain disorder that causes sudden, severe facial pain. It's also known as tic douloureux, Fothergill disease, or trifacial neuralgia.

Symptoms

• Sudden, severe, stabbing, or electric-like pain in the face
• Pain that's usually felt in the lower part of the face
• Pain that can affect one or both sides of the face
• Pain that can last from a few seconds to two minutes
• Pain that can occur over and over again several times a day

Causes

• Compression of the trigeminal nerve by an artery or vein
• Injury or nerve lesion
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Aging
• Female sex
• Family history of TN

Treatment

• Medications
• Surgery
• Botulinum toxin injections or nerve blocks
• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Aromatherapy

Other effects

• TN can have a significant impact on quality of life, resulting in problems such as weight loss, isolation, and depression.