Root Canal Treatment

What Is a Root Canal Treatment and How Does It Work?

A root canal is a procedure done to save a tooth that has been extensively decayed or infected. Deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, big fillings, a crack, or a chip in the tooth can cause the nerve and pulp to become irritated, inflamed, and infected. It can also occur as a result of facial trauma.

The nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed, and the interior is cleaned and sealed during a root canal operation. Without treatment, the tissue around the tooth may get infected, resulting in an abscess. The lack of a nerve has no bearing on how your tooth functions.

Why Is It Necessary to Remove Tooth Pulp?

When the nerve tissue or pulp of a tooth is damaged, it breaks down, allowing germs to grow in the pulp chamber. An infection or abscessed tooth can be caused by germs and other decaying material. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that develops at the end of a tooth's roots. When an infection spreads beyond the ends of the tooth's roots, it forms an abscess that might result in bone loss. A root canal infection is a condition in which bacteria infect the canals of the teeth and cause swelling that might extend to other parts of the face, neck, or head. A hole can form on the side of the tooth, allowing for the pus to drain into the gums or cheek.

What Are the Signs That a Root Canal Is Required?

If you require a root canal, you may experience the following symptoms:

• ?Persistent tooth sensitivity, particularly to heat or cold
• When eating or biting, there is a sharp ache.
• You have pimples or small elevations on your gums.
• Teeth that are chipped or cracked
• Gums that are swollen or uncomfortable
• Gums that are discolored or have a lot of deterioration

What is the Procedure for Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal can be performed by a dentist or an endodontist. A dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders and injuries of the dental pulp or nerve of the tooth is known as an endodontist. If you have a more complicated root canal, your general dentist may refer you to an endodontist.

The method will go as follows:

1. An X-ray will be taken by your dentist to evaluate how the root canals are shaped and see if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. They will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Although the nerve is no longer alive, most dentists nevertheless anesthetize the area to make you feel more comfortable.
2. Drilling a hole through the tooth is the next stage. The tooth's pulp, germs, and decaying nerve tissue are removed. A succession of root canal files is used to clear up the region. They are inserted into the access hole and the sides of the root canals are scraped and cleaned all the way down the length of the tooth. Saline or sodium hypochlorite will be sprayed in the area when the procedure is completed to flush away the debris.
3. The tooth is sealed once it has been thoroughly cleaned. Some dentists choose to seal the tooth after a week. If there is an infection, for example, your dentist may place a drug into the tooth to treat it.
4. Others may want to seal the tooth on the same day it is cleaned. A temporary filling is placed in the outside hole in the tooth to keep saliva and food out between appointments if the root canal is not sealed on the same day.
5. A sealer paste and a rubber compound called gutta-percha are injected into the root canal at the next session to fill the tooth's interior. To close the access hole established at the start of therapy, a filler will be placed.
6. Further tooth restoration may be required as the last step. A tooth that needs a root canal usually has a large filling, severe decay, or some other weakness. As a result, a crown, post, or other restoration may be required to protect it from breaking and restore it to full function. Any extra needed dental work will be discussed with you by your dentist.

Root canals have a reputation for being excruciatingly painful. However, the operation is no more unpleasant than getting a filling.

Dr.G.Muthulaakshmi.