Since childhood, we all have been repeatedly explained how sugary food can harm our teeth. That sugar might cause a hole in the tooth. Some of us have also experienced the excruciating pain from tooth decay and have been advised root canal treatment by a professional for the same. The root canal is a standard dental procedure usually done to repair the damaged tooth in case of tooth decay or if the tooth is infected. Root canal procedure is also done before any orthodontic treatment for aligning the teeth using teeth aligners if any decay is present. A root canal is a reparative treatment, and almost 15 million teeth per year are being saved using this treatment worldwide. Any dental professional is eligible to do a root canal but an endodontist is a person who has a specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease related to pulpal tissue or nerve of the tooth. Being a reparative procedure, the repair can only be assessed according to the damage that happened to the tooth. So the root canal treatment depends on several factors, including the severity of injury and infection. Let us know more about it in detail.
Who needs a root canal procedure?
A tooth is a complex structure made up of different layers. An outer white enamel layer, a hard dentin layer beneath it. The innermost soft part is known as the pulp. Pulp is the part where all the nerves and vessels are present. When an infection reaches the pulp chamber, the tooth starts aching. This pulp becomes inflamed. This is when your endodontist suggests a root canal. Extreme tooth sensitivity that lingers with the intake of certain hot and cold beverages or a sharp pain while chewing can also indicate root canal treatment. Sometimes the tooth becomes so decayed that the infection reaches the bone. There is a purulent discharge evident from the gum line in these cases. This is a sign of severe infection. For the tooth to be saved, a root canal treatment is necessary. A root canal treatment can also be helpful in the cracked or chipped tooth or sometimes if there is swelling evident in the gums. All these can be assessed after a thorough clinical checkup.
Steps involved in Root canal procedure
It might take more than one visit to the dental office to repair the damaged pulp completely. A single sitting usually lasts up to 45 minutes. A root canal is the removal of the infection of the tooth by removing the infected pulp, followed by cleaning and shaping the root canal. After the cleaning is done, the canal is filled with a permanent restorative material, and the tooth is sealed. Here’s what you can expect at a dental clinic when you go for a root canal treatment.
- Firstly, the endodontist will numb the affected area using a local anaesthetic agent. This will ensure that you feel no pain during the whole procedure.
- Then using a dental driller, they try to make a hole in the tooth to reach the pulpal area and remove the damaged tooth part. Removing the damaged tooth portion will prevent secondary infection.
- After locating the canal, the dentist will clean the pulp chambers and put several medications in the tooth to ensure proper healing.
- Repeated X-rays are taken after each major step to check the status of the treatment.
- And lastly, the dentist will fill the pulp chamber with a permanent material and medications so that the tooth may continue to serve its purpose for a long time.
- Sometimes, a crown is also indicated in some cases.
The root canal treatment is corrective, but most of us are afraid of the pain. It’s a procedure developed to take away your pain before it gets worse. Consult a professional now and get hold of your oral condition at the earliest. Then, book your appointment and keep your teeth pain and infection-free.
