ROOT CANAL

Root canal therapy is done in three steps, and it takes one to three sessions to complete.

1. Cleaning the root canal

First, the dentist removes everything that is inside the root canal.

Patient under local anesthesia, the dentist makes a small access hole on the surface of the tooth and removes the dead or decayed pulp tissue.

2. Filling the root canal

Next, the dentist cleans, shapes and decontaminates the hollow area using irrigation solutions. Then the tooth is filled with rubber like material (gutta- percha) / medicament to seal the canals completely. After that the tooth is sealed with temporary filling following root canal procedure.

After root canal therapy, the tooth is dead, the patient will no longer feel any pain in that tooth because the nerve tissue has been removed, and the infection has been eliminated.

3. Permanent filling

Permanent filling is the most crucial step after root canal procedure. After 1 week of follow- up the temporary filling is removed and replaced with a permanent restoration.

Permanent filling/ restoration is basically done to avoid future tooth fracture and to prevent the recontamination of the root canal.

However, the tooth will be more fragile than it was before. A tooth with no pulp must receive its nourishment from the ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone. This supply is adequate, but with time the tooth will become brittle, so a crown or filling will provide protection.

Until the crown or permanent filling is complete, the patient should not chew or bite hard food from the treated tooth. Once there is a crown or filling is done, the person can use the tooth as before.

Treatment often takes only one appointment, but if there are curved canals, multi-canals, or large infections, this could take one or two additional appointments.

One of the great fear about this kind of treatment is that it will be painful.

But the treatment done by trained dental professional will not cause any pain. The pain that we experience is because of the infection and not from the treatment.

After the treatment, some tenderness or inflammation is normal as it is a minor surgery and it will subside after having medications.

If the pulp becomes injured or diseased, it cannot repair itself, and the tissue dies.

If there is a deep cavity, a cracked tooth, or a loose filling, then bacteria can enter the pulp. The pulp injury will make the tooth sensitive to high and low temperatures. There may be pain while chewing, and some people experience the continuous throbbing pain.

Without treatment the infection will spread and the tooth will loose and need extraction.

Root canal therapy will usually save the tooth and eliminate the pain.

If the tooth cannot be saved the next best option is implant.

However, saving the natural tooth is best, because nothing can replace the strength of a natural tooth.

To prevent infections, tooth decay, and gum disease dentists recommend

• Brushing teeth twice a day( morning and during bedtime)
• Using toothpaste that contains fluoride( after 6 years till adult)
• Using a soft bristle toothbrush and replace it regularly
• Attending a regular dental check-ups and cleaning
• Avoid sugary drinks and foods, and follow healthy diet.

To prevent infections, tooth decay, and gum disease dentists recommend

• Brushing teeth twice a day( morning and during bedtime)
• Using toothpaste that contains fluoride( after 6 years till adult)
• Using a soft bristle toothbrush and replace it regularly
• Attending a regular dental check-ups and cleaning
• Avoid sugary drinks and foods, and follow healthy diet.