Root Canal Treatment

1.What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment involves the removal of the nerve from the tooth by drilling a hole in the top surface of the tooth. The inside is cleaned out with disinfectants and needle-like instruments. The root canal is then dried and a rubber filling placed down the inside of the tooth.

2.Does it hurt?

The mention of “root canal” evokes images of severe pain. In truth, however, root canal treatment is maligned unfairly. Advances in technology, and the experience of our professional staff have made root canal treatment far less painful than its reputation suggests. Ironically, root canal is designed to minimize the pain from an infected tooth; it does not produce the pain.

3.When is root canal treatment necessary?

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth gets infected. The pulp is the soft tissue inside your tooth, home to connective tissues, blood vessels and nerves. The pulp goes from the crown of your tooth to the tip of the root in your jawbone. Normally, the tooth itself protects the pulp, but if the tooth is damaged by a very deep cavity, or a crack, or trauma from repeated repairs, bacteria can reach the pulp. Then the bacteria grow from the crown towards the root, pus accumulates at the root tips, and the mouth becomes painful and sensitive to hot and cold. Not all pulp infections bring pain; sometimes they spread so slowly that the patient feels nothing.

4.How is root canal treatment performed?

Root canal treatment occurs in three stages: First comes the diagnosis. Next comes the root canal itself, in which a dentist or an endodontist (a dentist who specializes in treating the inside of the tooth) removes the pulp (and thereby also the infection), and cleans the inside of the tooth preparatory to filling it, sometimes applying antibiotics to prevent further infection. A temporary filling is placed at the crown opening. Finally, during a subsequent appointment, a crown is installed to seal the tooth and protect it from further damage or infection.

5.What results can I expect?

With successful root canal treatment, the tooth will no longer cause pain. However, because it does not contain an internal nerve, it no longer has sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweetness. These are signs of dental decay, so the patient must receive regular dental check-ups with periodic x-rays to avoid further disease in the tooth. The restored tooth could last a lifetime; however, with routine wear, the filling or crown may eventually need to be replaced.Excellent oral hygiene after your root canal can help ensure success and prevent reinfection. Keeping your original teeth should always be your main objective. An untreated infection inside a tooth will only worsen over time; the pulp cannot heal itself. Without treatment, you may eventually lose the tooth, and require a bridge or other costly restoration. Protect your teeth by getting treatment as soon as you learn that you need it.

6.What are the complications associated with root canal treatment?

• Breaking off of the dental instruments or files in the root canal while cleaning the pulp chamber. This can be removed later but only by a specialized endodontist.
• Infection as a result of incomplete treatment or filling as a result of the root canals being complex or not being detected on the X-ray.
• Poor response of certain bacteria to the root canal treatment

Dental tips brush and floss twice a day drink lots of water avoid sugary foods calcium and vitamin D check up every 6 month