Everything You Need to Know About Root Canal Treatment


Root canal treatment is essential when your tooth gets severely infected by an abscess, and the decay impregnates the pulp of the tooth. Your dentists will usually recommend a root canal treatment to remove this infection. This article discusses all the necessary things you need to know about root canal treatment.

A root canal treatment is a major dental procedure, carried out under local anaesthesia. In medical parlance, it is known as endodontic therapy. A root canal treatment becomes essential when a tooth becomes severely infected by an abscess, and the decay impregnates the pulp of the tooth. When a dentist establishes that a patient's tooth is infected, they recommend a root canal treatment, to remove the infection. The procedure involves the surgical removal of the pulp and nerve. Next, the dentist drains the roots and abscess and sterilises the cavity with an antiseptic solution, to prevent the spread of the infection and further episodes.
Technically, the tooth becomes dead, after the treatment, with the pulp and tissues, removed. The tooth feels no pain or sensitivity. The root canal treatment is the most effective dental procedure used for the removal of deep-rooted infection and it helps with relieving pain caused by the infection. It can best be described as a restorative treatment.

Reasons for performing root canal treatment


As mentioned above, the root canal treatment is done to eradicate the infection from the tooth and ease pain. There is no other way of treating an infected tooth. Left untreated, the patient continues to suffer from excruciating pain, and the infected tooth poses the risk of spreading the infection to the adjoining teeth. With time the infection spreads, deep into the root of the tooth, rendering it useless. Such a tooth will become loose and eventually fall, leading to more complications.
Our teeth are covered with enamel, a hard-protective layer, which protects the inner layers. The enamel covers the dentin, a hard-calcified tissue, and the pulp, which is the soft tissue. The soft tissue is where the nerves, the blood vessels and connective tissues exist. The soft tissue is crucial during the growth period when the teeth are being formed. The tissue nourishes and helps the teeth grow. However, completely developed teeth do not rely on soft tissue for their nourishment. The tissues and ligaments attached to the roots provide sustenance to fully developed teeth.
Dentists recommend root canal treatment to patients whose teeth become infected. The infected tooth is drilled, and the soft tissue removed and filled with composite material. The procedure helps save the natural tooth and alleviates the pain and discomfort, allowing the patient can bite and chew without problems.

Procedures involved in Root Canal Treatment


Four key steps are involved in the root canal treatment, and they are completed within two to three sessions. The procedure is relatively painless, as local anaesthesia is administered near the infected tooth. This deadens sensation in the soft tissue inside the tooth. The patient does not experience pain or discomfort while the dentist works on the tooth. So, get the fear out of drills and dentists out of your head. Rest assured that the treatment is painless.
  • Removing the infection: The dentist prepares the patient by administering an anaesthetic injection in the jaw, so it numbs the region. The actual procedure begins after a few minutes. The procedure involves drilling a tiny hole on the surface of the tooth, so it enables the dentist to access the soft tissue that lies within. The dentist then removes the infected soft tissue, using special apparatus, called files. Advanced treatments involve lasers instead of drills

  • Cleaning the root canal: Next, the dentist uses irrigation solutions and tiny files to clean the cavity that is created in the tooth. Care is taken to remove every bit of decayed pulp and debris from the hollow, so all the bacterial population in the root canal is destroyed

  • Filling the root canal: A thin layer of protective resin mix is applied at the base of the root canal. This is followed by filling the root canal with a rubber-like substance, and an adhesive cement, so the root canal is completely sealed

  • Filling and capping the tooth: The next step is to reinforce the tooth, and this is done by filling the tooth and capping or crowning it. The artificial crown protects the tooth from external damage. Different types of materials are used for crowning or capping the teeth. They include porcelain, zirconia, ceramic, titanium etc. These materials are differently priced

Tips To Follow After Root Canal Treatment


Patients may experience some pain as the effects of the anaesthesia wear off. It is natural because the tooth canal treatment is an invasive procedure. The area does remain numb for at least 3-4 hours, after which there is mild pain.
  • Patients must continue to take the analgesics as prescribed by the dentist

  • Avoid chewing food on the side where a tooth that has been worked on. Allow the wound to heal

  • Avoid chewing hard foods, as doing so can damage the crown, causing it to crack or chip

  • Maintain oral health to prevent reoccurrence of infection in other teeth

The cost of root canal treatment in Ernakulam is mostly dependent on which tooth is infected and the complexities involved in the treatment. The teeth at the back of the mouth are more difficult to treat, and root canal procedures on those teeth cost more. The cost also depends on the material of the crown that the patient chooses.
Here is a word of advice for patients, avoid walking into any dental clinic, for a dental problem. Choose your dentist wisely. Check online reviews and websites before selecting your dentist. Make sure the facility has the latest equipment. Sophisticated equipment ensures painless and precise treatment. Today, dental clinic in Kochi uses lasers for quick and painless root canal procedures. State-of-the-art dental clinics use nickel-titanium files, which are flexible and do not break easily. Further modern dental instruments such as ultrasonic tools are used, as they are stronger and faster. Make sure the dental facility you visit has all these and more. Your teeth deserve the best treatment.


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