“You must go through Root Canal Therapy!”
Do these words frighten you? – You may be concerned about having to go through the drill and that the operation may be uncomfortable. This worry could be the result of inaccurate information you may have read or heard from untrustworthy sources. Your dentist is the best place to get information on root canal therapy for yourself.
In this article, we will highlight –
- What is Root canal Therapy?
- Signs and symptoms you need a root canal therapy
- How is a root canal performed, what are the steps involved in a RCT?
- What is Laser Assisted Root Canal Therapy?
- Benefits of Laser Assisted Root Canal therapy
- What foods to eat after root canal therapy
- What can be done if a Root Canal Fails
- Cost of Root Canal therapy in Bangalore, India
- Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Therapy
What is Root canal Therapy?
Let’s start with the Root Canal –
We all know that a tooth is made up of the crown and the roots, with the roots connecting the tooth to the jawbone. The dental pulp is a hollow portion of a tooth that contains nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other cells. It is located between the crown and the root, or the root canal. The pulp nourishes the tooth and keeps the surrounding material wet. Temperatures are perceived as pain by the nerves in the pulp.
The name “root canal” has come to refer to the treatment, however it is actually a kind of Endodontic therapy. Endo is the Greek word for “inside,” and ‘odont is the Greek word for “tooth.” This treatment is for the inside of the tooth. A root canal procedure is performed to remove bacteria from the diseased root canal of a tooth and prevent further infection.
Dentists recommend endodontic treatment when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes irritated and infected. Tooth decay, lost or chipped tooth, repeated operations on the same tooth, and other factors can all cause the root canal to become inflammatory or infected. If pulp inflammation or infection is detected, it should not be ignored because it might cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Signs and symptoms you need a root canal therapy
There are a few classic symptoms that signal that you need a root canal treatment—
- Severe pain while chewing or biting
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
- Swollen or tender gums
- Deep decay or darkening of the gums
- Pimples on the gums
When you see these indications and symptoms, it’s advisable to go to the dentist. Once the dentists have diagnosed it, you must begin treatment; otherwise, the infection may grow and the tooth will become loose, necessitating extraction.
When a tooth is extracted or removed, the neighbouring teeth may begin to migrate and become crooked. This might be ugly and make it difficult to get a good bite. Root canal therapy will usually save the tooth and relieve the discomfort; however, if left untreated, your dentist may be unable to save the tooth. If the tooth cannot be salvaged, an implant is the next best alternative.
However, preserving the natural tooth is preferable because nothing performs as well as a natural tooth.
What does RCT Involve? Or What is the Procedure for Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is performed in three steps and requires one to three sessions to finish.
Cleaning the root canal:
To numb the area around the tooth, an anaesthetic is provided. To access the pulp chamber, a hole is made in the crown of the tooth. After that, the infectious pulp is cleansed and removed from the canals. The irrigation process is used to assist clean and remove debris from the canals.
Root canal filling:
The canal is then filled with gutta-percha, a permanent substance that helps to keep the canal free of infection or contamination.
To close the aperture, a temporary filler material is applied on top of the gutta-percha. This temporary filling will remain in place until the tooth is restored with a permanent filling or a crown. The tooth is dead after root canal therapy, and you will no longer experience pain in that tooth because the nerve tissue and infection have been eliminated.
Putting on a crown:
The tooth will be more fragile than previously and will no longer be suitable for biting. As a result, for protection, a crown or filling is required. The crown, which resembles a natural tooth, is placed on top of the tooth (The crown is sometimes referred to as a cap). Once the tooth is covered with the cap, it is ready to go and continues to function normally and painlessly.