Root
Canal Treatment is an area of treatment in dentistry concerned with he prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the dental pulp. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were extracted. Today, root canal treatment gives dentists a safe and effective means of saving an infected tooth.
The pulp is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, which are important in tooth development. There are very small canals running through the pulp in the tooth and they can become infected quite easily. This causes the pulp inside your tooth to become infected as well. Pain and swelling may accompany the infection. Even if pain is not involved certain by-products of a diseased pulp can injure the bone that anchors your tooth in the jaw. Our endodontist , in other words root canal specialist , will remove this infection by performing a root canal procedure. This is one of the safest and most effective methods of saving a damaged tooth.
Treatment usually requires from one to three appointments. The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth is then cleaned, shaped, filled and sealed to prevent infection in the pulp.
The Procedure
1.
Our endodontist will examine the tooth and x-rays before numbing the area around the affected tooth. A small protective sheet called a Rubber dam,” is placed over the area. This will separate the tooth while treatment to avoid contamination and to keep the area free of saliva. We will then drill through to the pulp area, either through the top or the back of the tooth. Very small instruments and an antiseptic solution will be used to clean the pulp and root canals and a space is shaped for a filling.
2.
When the space has been cleaned and shaped, we will fill the root canal with a biocompatible material. This is usually a flexible plastic material called "gutta-percha” ensuring that the root canals are completely sealed. Normally, a temporary filling will be inserted to close the opening. At the final stage the tooth is being re examined from the X-ray if there is any infection left and if infection is completely removed a permanent filling will be restored with a crown.
3.
After your final visit, you must return
to our clinic for the restoration work.
If there is no sign of any infection a crown
or permanent filling will be inserted after
the root canal procedure.
FAQS |
| Will I be
in any pain after treatment? |
You may experience some discomfort on the tooth during the healing period . If you are experiencing discomfort or pain, avoid strenuous activities and keep your head elevated at all times.
Pain killers such as , ibuprofen is recommended. However, you should always follow our instructions concerning medication(s). If the prescribed medication is not effective in relieving the pain, please contact our clinic. |
| Will my diet
be affected after treatment? |
Please avoid eating or drinking anything
too hot or too hard . Your mouth will
still be numb and you may not feel the
heat and burn your mouth. Eat foods
that do not require vigorous chewing
during the first few days. Eggs, soups
and milk shakes would be suitable. |
Advantages
& Disadvantages of Root Canal Treatment
Advantages
:
-
Any infection will only get worse with time, if left untreated
-
The greatest advantage is that the tooth will not need extraction and the tooth will be saved.
Disadvantages:
-
Occasionally, infected tissue is pushed through the ends of the root infecting the gum. This can be treated easily, but there will be some pain until the infection is cleared up.
-
Canals are irregularly shaped, and if the canal is not accurately measured then it won’t be cleaned or filled properly. This will cause the pulp to become infected again and the treatment has to continue until the infection is removed completely.
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