Root canal treatment (RCT)?
The crown of the tooth has three layers- The enamel which is the outer layer, dentin which is the middle layer and pulp which is the living layer of nerve endings and minute blood vessels.
Pain arises once the carious infection reaches the innermost layer pulp.
Root canal treatment is done when the tooth decay and infection reach the pulp leading to inflammation, pain and infection.
RCT is necessary to save the original tooth structure. The original tooth structure is stronger than any substitutes hence our goal is to always preserve your teeth. Root canal procedure is performed by an endodontist. It involves the following steps-
- Removal of the infected pulp tissues
- Cleaning and disinfection of the root canal
- Filling the root canal with biologically compatible material and sealing it.
- Restoration of the crown of the tooth.
It involves multiple steps and requires multiple sittings. However, there are options available for single sitting rct.
When do you need a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is performed on a damaged tooth. Teeth can be infected due to fracture, decay or gum problems. It becomes necessary to get a rct done because
- RCT prevents the infection from spreading and saves your original teeth structure,
- RCT stops the pain which was caused due to your initial infection.
Symptoms
- One of the most important symptoms which indicates the requirement of an rct is toothache. Your pain can be from mild to severe. If it’s a mild pain, please visit a dentist immediately to prevent further damage.
- Another important symptom is sensitivity. If you have pain while eating hot or cold food, there is a chance you might need a rct.
- Gum diseases, swelling in the gum also indicates the requirement of an rct.
What happens if you do not get a rct done in time?
- If the pain subsides, it means that the nerves have been affected and they can’t transmit pain any longer. This indicates that infection has worsened and might lead to fatalities later on.
- The bacteria from infection can further infect the bone or create pus filled abscess. It leads to various diseases like Ludwig’s angina.
When should the wisdom tooth be removed?
- Crowding- the subsequent teeth are getting harmed and have less space in the jaw, leading to misalignment of teeth.
- Damage of the jaws- Wisdom teeth can damage the nerves, causing hollowing out of the jaws.
- Sinus problems-When wisdom teeth are the reason for sinus pain and congestion
- Periodontal problems- Difficulty in cleaning the gums resulting in swelling of the tissue.
- Periodontal pocket- gaps in the gums where bacteria and food items get lodged leading to further diseases.
What is the procedure of RCT treatment?
Step 1
The very first step involves a Xray to determine the extent of damage. Local anesthesia is administered before starting the treatment
Step 2
A cavity is prepared within the crown and infected material is removed and a proper approach to the pulp is established.
Step 3
Disinfection and cleaning and shaping of the pulp canals is done. The infected tissues are cleared out completely.
Step 4
Cleaned and disinfected canals are then filled and sealed with a biocompatible material like gutta-percha.
Step 5
The final step is restoration of the crown. It is done by cementation of the crown or cap for long lasting usage and healthy teeth.
Post treatment care
- Prevent pressure on teeth.
- Prevent eating hard and crunchy food before the crown replacement
- Brush gently with proper techniques
- Visit us if you have any complexities or pain.
Frequently asked questions
No, a root canal treatment is pain less. We administer local anesthesia to numb the surrounding areas for a painless comfortable treatment.
Once the final restoration is done, the tooth takes a few days to heal. Patients might experience some pain after the anesthesia wears off which will end after a few days of medication.
Most of the time, rct can be completed by a dentist in one single day. However in case of advancement of the infection, you may need two or three sittings to finish the treatment.