| FACTS ABOUT ROOT CANAL THERAPY
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The tooth is not a solid object, but has a space in
its center. Each tooth has a soft tissue (the pulp) in this space. This
tissue partially nourishes the tooth from the inside. Because of deep
decay, injury, or gum disease, the tissue in your tooth has become
inflammed or infected (diseased). In any other part of your body, if a
similar tissue becomes diseased, the body merely throws it off and forms
new tissue. However, a tooth is unique and in a different situation.
Because the soft tissue within the tooth is totally encased within hard
tissue, the body cannot get to it in order to affect repair. Therefore,
it is the role of the dentist to do what the body is unable to do. He
must remove the soft tissue located in the internal spaces(canals),
clean the area, make it infection free and finally fill the canals with a
special material so that bacteria cannot re-enter the tooth to cause
another infection. When the endodontic treatment is complete, the tooth
is by no means "dead". It receives quite adequate support from the
surrounding tissues and may be expected to last as long as any other
natural tooth. It is advisable to get a crown made on the tooth treated
as the Endodontically treated tooth becomes brittle in later stages and
is liable to fracture.
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| ROOT CANAL THERAPY - PROCEDURE
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Cleaning and shaping your root canals
First, your dentist makes an opening in your tooth and removes any
filling and decay. Then your dentist removes unhealthy pulp with tiny,
flexible needles known as files and reamers. Using delicate, up-and-down
motions, your dentist gently cleans and smooths your canals to prepare
them for the canal-filling materials. |
Filling your root canals
After the pulp has been removed from your root canals and they have been
smoothened, the root canals are filled with tiny cone-shaped pieces of
gutta-percha, a firm, rubberlike material, or another dental material. A
sealer-cement is used to seal the filling material into place. |
Restoring Your Tooth
After the inside of your tooth has been treated, the outside will be
restored. To protect your tooth's underlying structures and give your
tooth a healthy appearance, and if your tooth needs extra support, your
dentist x-ray remove some gutta-percha and insert a post before the
filling and crown are applied.
· A post, stainless steel or another metal, is sometimes cemented into
your root canal to build up your tooth after root canal therapy.
· A filling, usually silver or a tooth-colored dental material, may be used to fill the opening in the top of your tooth.
· A crown, usually gold, white metal, chrome cobalt or porcelain, may be
used to cover a tooth that has a large opening after root canal
therapy. |
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| Your tooth is opened, then your root canal is cleaned and shaped. |
Your root canal is filled with dental material such as Gutta-percha and maybe covered with a temporary filling. |
A post supports your tooth. |
A crown protects it afer the treatment. |
After your root canal treatment, take care of your treated tooth the same way as you would for your other teeth.
Brush after every meal. Floss before going to bed. Have regular dental check-ups and maintain good oral health. |
 
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| ROOT CANAL TREATMENT - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Having endodontic (root canal) treatment today is more or less like
having a cavity filled. If you need endodontic (root canal)treatment,
you can find the answers to normally asked questions below.
- Who can do endodontic treatment?
- All dentists, are trained in endodontics sufficiently enough to treat all cases requiring endodontic treatment.
- Why do one need endodontic treatment?
- Sometimes the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflammed or
infected. This can be caused by deep decay, repeated dental procedures
on the tooth, a crack or chip in the tooth, or a blow to the tooth.
- Endodontic treatment - Signs (when needed)?
- Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat
or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the
nearby gums. But sometimes, there are no symptoms.
- How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
- The dentist removes the inflammed or infected pulp, carefully
cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals the
space. Afterwards,he will place a crown or other restoration on the
tooth to protect it and restore it to full function.
- Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
- While many patients may be in great pain before seeing the
dentist, most report that the pain is relieved by the dentist and that
they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after
treatment, the tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or
infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with
medications. The dentist will tell you how to care for your tooth at
home.
- How many sittings does a dentist takes to complete endodontic treatment?
- Now a days dentists normally take three to four sittings to
complete a Root Canal Treatment. But in badly infected teeth one may
need more than four sittings. But in many cases it can be completed in
one sitting also.
- Any special precautions to be taken after endodontic treatment?
- You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have
had it restored by your dentist, because it could fracture. Otherwise,
just practice good oral hygiene - brushing, flossing and regular
checkups and cleanings. Endodontically treated teeth can last for many
years, even a lifetime.
- Can the Endodontically treated tooth require any other treatment?
- New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling
can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, your dentist may
discover very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during
the initial procedure.
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