Root Canal Treatment
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Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is a dental process to save a damaged or infected tooth. Root canal treatment is the most effective method to avoid tooth extraction and eliminate the chances of reinfection. The procedure is performed by an endodontist or a root canal dentist in Assam.
The procedure involves removing the damaged or inflamed tissue, also known as the pulp, from inside the tooth, cleaning the inside and refilling it with a special material. The tooth is then sealed and often covered with a crown to protect it and restore its normal shape and function.
What is the purpose of Root Canal?
Root canals help save the centre part of the tooth, called the pulp, in case of inflammation, infection or injury. The pulp houses many blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves and the prime objective of a root canal surgery is to preserve the tooth’s structure by getting rid of the injured or infected pulp.
There are several causes of pulp damage, including:
- Trauma such as a chipped or broken tooth that is more prone to infection
- Decays that have reached the pulp
- A deep cavity
- Repeated dental procedures like crowns or fillings
- Cracks or chips in the tooth
- Chronic gum diseases
- Ageing
If the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or damaged, it can cause severe pain and swelling accompanied by other symptoms. Therefore, you must immediately consult an endodontist or a root canal dentist at Assam to examine the painful tooth, confirm the diagnosis, and get timely treatment.
When do you need a root canal?
A root canal is performed to treat a damaged or infected pulp. Patients generally require a quick root canal procedure when they notice their teeth are sensitive while consuming hot or cold food/ drinks.
Some of the symptoms that you require a root canal surgery include:
- Swelling or tenderness in gums near the affected tooth
- Discolouration or darkening of the tooth
- Experience a small pimple-like bump near the affected tooth
- Drainage from the affected tooth accompanied by a bad taste
- Pain or swelling in the jaw
How is Root Canal Performed?
The entire treatment is performed by a root canal specialist and usually takes one to two hours, depending on the complications. The procedure typically involves the following steps:
- Anaesthesia :
The root canal dentist will apply medication to your gum to numb the area around the tooth. Once it gets numb, it will be injected with local anaesthesia.
- Drilling your tooth :
The dentist will make a small opening in the top of the tooth to check and access the pulp.
- Removal of infected tissue :
The dentist or endodontist will remove the infected/ injured pulp using specialized tools called files and carefully clean out any bacteria or debris.
- Coating antibiotics :
After removing the pulp, the dentist will coat the area surrounding the tooth with a topical antibiotic to prevent reinfection. This is followed by cleaning the canals and sealing the tooth using a mixture of sealer paste and a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha.
- Sealing :
The dentist will seal the small opening of the tooth with a permanent filling to prevent the canals from being damaged by saliva.
- Fixing crown : Often your dentist will end the procedure by placing a crown on top of the treated tooth and restoring its normal shape and function.
Does RCT Sounds fearful?
So when You are in pain, what do you do?
Thinking of removing the tooth………Nooooooooo!!!!
Root Canal Treatment is a procedure where we can save the tooth from getting further pain by simply removing the nerve from the internal parts of the tooth. The tooth becomes completely painless after RCT and is fitted with a beautiful crown or cap, which gives strength to the tooth to chew and also protects the internal tooth from any further damage in future. So when in pain, don’t even think of removing your beautiful teeth coz life comes once
Certain indications that may suggest the need for an RCT and are commonly experienced by individuals:
Toothache is often the primary reason for seeking dental care, with the severity of pain ranging from mild to severe. Toothache may worsen when changing positions, particularly when lying down or biting on something with the affected tooth.
Under normal circumstances, the enamel layer of a tooth provides a protective cover for the underlying dentin and pulp layers, preventing sensitivity. However, when the dentin and pulp layers become exposed, you may experience heightened sensitivity to air, hot, sour, and sweet foods.
Tooth pain is often mild and can be overlooked by patients, but even when the pain subsides, infection can still spread to the tissues surrounding the decayed tooth, potentially causing swelling.
Root Canal: AfterCare
Post root canal surgery, you may feel soreness in your tooth and gums until the numbing medication wears off. Sometimes you might have to be in pain killers to get rid of the pain completely as directed by your root canal specialist
Follow these post-care tips, which include:
- Avoid chewing from the damaged tooth until it’s permanently filled or replaced with a crown.
- Visit the dentist for a regular follow-up within a few days to check if the infection is gone.
- If the infection is gone, your dentist will replace the temporary filling with a permanent one.
- Immediately consult your dentist if the pain turns extreme or lasts for many days.
- The dentist will then place a permanent crown made from gold or porcelain to protect the inner pulp.
Root Canal: Side Effects
Post Root Canal Surgery, the patients may face a dull pain in the tooth, which usually vanishes within weeks. However, taking proper care of the tooth is recommended to avoid reinfections due to bacteria.
Other complications associated with root canals include:
- Damage to surrounding sutures like gums, nerves or adjacent teeth
- Persistent infection in case of improper cleaning
In rare cases, the tooth treated may be weakened and thus more prone to fracture, mainly if it has been extensively decayed or if the procedure involves removing a large amount of tooth structure.
It is essential to discuss any concerns related to root canals with your dentist or endodontist. Your specialist can help you understand the procedure and get an affordable root canal in Assam and how to minimize the complications.
FAQs
The cost of a root canal depends on factors like the tooth’s location, the extent of damage, and the procedure’s complexity. Most insurance policies also help in providing some coverage for affordable root canal treatment in Assam.
A root canal-treated tooth often lasts a lifetime with proper care, like good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.
Yes. You can consume food after a root canal treatment. But you should avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the procedure was done until it has fully healed.
The treatment is generally not painful because the root canal dentist will use local anaesthesia to numb the area.
The procedure length depends on the extent of the damage and the number of canals in the tooth. It can take one or two appointments, each lasting about 30 to 60 minutes.