Retaining natural teeth is considered the best solution and prevents the need for replacing teeth which can be time-consuming and costly. When there is damage or infection of a tooth the only way to save it is to perform Root Canal Therapy.
Retaining natural teeth is considered the best solution and prevents the need for replacing teeth which can be time-consuming and costly. When there is damage or infection of a tooth the only way to save it is to perform Root Canal Therapy.
Root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) fixes problems with a tooth’s soft core or ‘dental pulp’. This usually happens from infection caused by deep decay or a large filling. RCT may be required when there is advanced gum disease, physical trauma or an indirect result of a tooth-fracture resulting in bacterial infection. Some teeth grinding problems have also been solved by RCT.
Cross section of a tooth showing the “soft core” otherwise known as the dental pulp
The dentist will first recommend an x-ray to examine the depth of infection. Next, an access hole is drilled into the tooth and the inflamed pulp and debris is removed. Once done, the next step is cleansing, in which the inner part of the tooth is carefully cleaned, disinfected with water or sodium or sodium hypochlorite, and followed by sealing of the tooth with a rubber-like material. In the end, the restoration of tooth takes place. This is done with a crown or filling to protect your tooth from further decay.
This is a dental xray showing cavities in the tooth. If the cavity is large enough it can be close to the nerve.
The main indication of an RCT is when there is an infection or an inflamed section within the pulp cavity.
Typically, such infections occur following a breach in the integrity of the root canal.
Other factors that allow infectious organisms into the pulp includes –
Some of the symptoms of damage to the pulp cavity include
RCT is typically done to prevent the need for tooth extraction and replacement with other materials.
FAQ's Root canal therapy
For starters, if your dentist determines that an RCT might be the best cause of action for your tooth issue, you should take their word for it. Otherwise, expect the toothache to worsen and become even more discomforting. The infection could also spread from the pulp into adjacent soft tissues. Or worse, it could be contained and walled off within an abscess. An abscess is a small pocket of pus that collects in a space within the body. It’s not always easily visible, however, it often presents with a constant toothache, swelling, and or fever. In some cases, the tooth damage may be severe enough to require complete removal of the tooth. If there would be a replacement after the extraction, then that would come at a higher cost. Also, with tooth removal, the adjacent teeth are easily mal-aligned and become faulty with time. Therefore, it’s better to halt the damage and salvage a tooth when the damage is minimal. Your best bet is to avoid anything that can cause tooth decay, trauma, or infection. A scary consequence of delayed RCT is that the infection might spread to the whole body, setting up a life-threatening situation.
After the procedure has been done, it’s necessary to take some measures to preserve the teeth and reduce the chances of having another RCT or even total extraction. Some of the important things to be done include – Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day using fluoride-containing toothpaste. Floss carefully around the treated area. 2. In the immediate post-procedure period, avoid chewing on the affected side. Even much later, avoid chewing hard food on that part. The tooth can be weak and require a crown to prevent splitting. Your dentist will advise you if a crown is necessary. 3. Avoid sugary drinks. Bacteria feed on the sugars and multiply, increasing the chances of caries and infections. 4. Avoid alcohol and smoking. These can impair the healing of the repaired tooth and can weaken immunity to infectious agents. 5. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water regularly. The salty environment will help reduce bacterial growth. 6. Take your medications as prescribed to prevent infection of the surgery site. 7. If you’re billed for more than one session, make sure you keep to appointments and follow-up sessions.
This is highly variable. Several factors determine the healing time. These factors are the number of infections one has, the severity of the damage, and how many sessions are required. Beyond that, certain personal factors can impair healing. For instance, immunosuppression, smoking, alcoholism, and diabetes mellitus.
RCT is a very safe procedure. It has a minimal complication rate. If done by experts, it’s the best way to salvage the natural teeth and save cost in cases of tooth disease. But as we all know, prevention is better than cure. To avoid the need for an RCT, take good care of your teeth. Here are a few things to do – Brush regularly. The Australian Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day. Visit the dentist for regular check-ups every 6 months Don’t allow a toothache to linger without getting it checked. Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Avoid alcohol and smoking. For sports that involve facial contact, wear a face or chin shield. Your teeth are important. They will remain healthy if you follow the tips listed above. Do that, and you won’t have to worry about root canals and other dental issues. So, here’s all you need to know about the procedure. And, don’t worry, the procedure is painless. All thanks to advanced dentistry. If you want to know more or are suffering from any dental issues, you can connect with our dentists to help you out.