Root Canal Treatment

Why does one need to undergo Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is done on a damaged or infected tooth. Infection could be due to a cracked or broken tooth, deep decay, gum disease, or maybe due to repeated dental treatment on a particular tooth. It becomes extremely important to get the root canal treatment as:

• It stops the infection from spreading and will then save the tooth from extraction
• RCT relieves the pain caused due to inflammation

Symptoms

• The most common symptom that one might need root canal treatment for is a toothache. The pain can range from mild to severe. With time it may worsen, and you will feel the pain even when you bite your food.
• The other reason is prolonged sensitivity. If you feel sensations in your tooth while consuming something hot or cold, then there is the slightest chance that one needs to undergo root canal treatment.
• Swelling in the gums can also be a sign that you need Root Canal Treatment.

Consequences of not getting a Root Canal Treatment

If the pain you feel goes away, then it does not mean that your tooth has healed with time, but this indicates that the nerves inside the tooth are all dead and the infection has grown manifold. The bacteria from infection can enter into the tissues of the gum and jaw, which can cause a pus-filled abscess. This can even lead to a serious condition like heart disease and stroke.

Procedure for Root Canal Treatment

• Step 1- The very first step involves an X-ray, which is taken to determine the extent and approach to infection. If required, local anesthesia is administered before starting the treatment.
• Step 2- The next step is cavity preparation. A cavity is prepared, making sure all the infected tooth material or previous filling material is removed and a proper approach to the inner part of the tooth (pulp) is established.
• Step 3- This is followed by disinfection and shaping of pulp canals. The infected pulp is cleared out completely, canals are shaped and cleaned. Thorough disinfection is achieved.
• Step 4- Clean and disinfected canals are then sealed and filled with an inert rubber-like filling material known as Gutta-Percha.
• Step 5- The very last step is restoration & crown. The crown portion of the tooth cavity is then restored with a filling, followed by a Cap/Crown cementation.