Treatment of root canals is one of the increasingly favored tooth restoration systems in vogue among the dentists. This has come to replace the older practice of extracting tooth as the only remedy for tooth diseases or decays. If you suffer from a tooth problem, you must consult a dentist, who will examine the problem thoroughly and recommend the need for a root canal treatment.
Understanding the configuration of your tooth
Before you say “Yes” to Root Canal Treatment or RCT, it is better to have a basic know-how about root canals and their problems. A root canal is the natural space within the root of a tooth containing the pulp chamber. The root canals can be interconnected through smaller branches that may be spread along the root end or the root length. The pulp chamber is filled with loose dental nerves and tissues that function as sensory organs in adult teeth.
Occurrence of problems in root canal
There could be one to four root canals depending on the position of the teeth. Often toothaches are related with bacterial growth in the pulp that causes the tissues to break down. The result is an abscessed tooth having puss filled pulp chamber leading to complications like acute swelling of the gums and face, loss of bone around the root tip and drainage problems.
Common symptoms of problems in root canals
You should consult a dentist when you detect the occurrence of swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums, discoloration of the tooth, severe pain on applying pressure while chewing or excessive sensitivity or pain to hot or cold temperatures. Dentists usually prescribe some antibiotics before they perform a root canal treatment. You may also have to get the problem tooth x-rayed.
The procedure for treating damaged teeth by RCT
If this situation is left unattended, long-term problems could occur. Hence, the dentists decide to remove the pulp through root canal treatment. While working on your damaged tooth, a dentist will frequently use the X-Ray image for checking the shape of the root canals and the extent of the infection.
Next, he will apply local anesthesia to numb the area surrounding the problem tooth. The dentist will then insert a rubber dam around the tooth to keep the area dry. An access hole is drilled into the tooth to extract the decayed pulp along with bacteria infested debris and various diameters of root canal files are used for scraping and scrubbing the sides of the root canals followed by periodical flushing using water or sodium hypochlorite.
If the dentist finishes the cleaning process in a single sitting, he will seal up the tooth on the same day. If not, then a temporary filling material is used to lock up the access hole against oral contaminants. The last state is to restore the shape and functional ability of the tooth by placing a crown on top of it.
Problems with RCT
Root Canal Treatments are successful in 95% cases although a chance of recurred infection due to improper cleaning or crack remains. In such cases, a highly complicated endodontic surgery needs to be done. In spite of the skill of the dentists performing RCT, it is a somewhat painful procedure. So, the best solution is to maintain the natural health of your tooth and avoid conditions of decay.
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