Root canal treatment is one of the most common dental treatments performed across the globe specially to treat deep dental caries and irreversible damage to the tooth. Understanding the root canal treatment is complex as one has to be well versed with the normal tooth anatomy, and how a cavity or trauma can irreversible damage to the tooth.
What is a root canal procedure ?
As mentioned above to understand the root canal treatment it is very essential to understand the anatomy of a root canal. The human tooth is composed of primary three layers namely the enamel, dentin and the pulp in the crown portion and the cementum, dentin and pulp in the root portion. The root canal is the inner most part of the tooth which houses the dental pulp. The dental pulp is made up of blood vessels and nerves which provide life to the tooth. The dental pulp is the most sensitive area of the tooth and once it gets inflamed or infected, severe pain is caused.
What are the symptoms that a root canal is exposed or inflamed or infected ?
The patient will complain of a deep dental caries on the tooth, a fractured tooth, pain in the tooth or the jaw region, pain that aggravates on chewing food, biting on food, aggravates at night and can be mild and continuous or severe and intermittent in presentation.
When is root canal procedure advised ?
A root canal treatment is advised in individuals who either present with the above mentioned symptoms or just a tooth or multiple teeth which are grossly decayed. A root canal treatment is always better than a tooth extraction as it is always better to retain the normal tooth structure. A tooth extraction is only advised in conditions where preservation of the tooth is very difficult and any treatment can lead to subsequent loss of tooth. So to summarize the root canal treatment is advised in the below mentioned circumstances.
- Deep dental decay
- Fractured tooth or cracked tooth
- Trauma to the tooth, especially the dental pulp
- Leakage from large restorations in to the pulp affecting it
- Severe wear and tear of tooth, such as in attrition and abrasion
If a tooth with the above mentioned symptoms are left untreated or unaddressed they may lead to other potential complications such as an abscess, granuloma, cyst, bone loss in the periapical region and even loss of tooth and gross facial infections occasionally.
How do you prepare for a root canal procedure ?
The root canal treatment is performed in the dentist’s office by a certified dentist or an endodontist (a dental surgeon who specializes in root canal treatments). The doctor will do a complete history taking along with a thorough clinical examination to identify the tooth or teeth which need a root canal treatment. The doctor will also advise that you get some x-rays done to confirm the extent of the decay and plan the further treatment.
Is root canal procedure performed under anesthesia ?
The root canal is performed mostly under the influence of local anesthesia. In case of children who are un-cooperative or require multiple root canal treatments at the same time, general anesthesia may be preferred.
What happens during a root canal procedure ?
The root canal treatment is a multiple step procedure which is usually completed in 2-3 sittings. The same can also be completed in single sitting with the availability of rotary endodontics nowadays. The initial step is mainly the removal of debris and decay from the superficial surfaces of the tooth, the enamel and the dentin with the help of a dental bur fitted on a rotary handpeice or an aerotor (usually anesthesia is not required), once the pulp is exposed. Before the start of the procedure the working field is isolated with the help of a rubber dam (a green rubber sheet), or a cotton rolls to avoid contamination of the operating field.Once the pulp is exposed, the local anesthesia may be administered to avoid any pain and discomfort to the patient. The doctor will mention the use of instruments such as files and reamers which are used to clean and shape the canal. Along with the files and reamers the canal is periodically cleaned with saline and sodium hypochlorite solution to disinfect the canal and aid in cleaning and shaping. X-ray may be taken during this process to determine the length and width of the canal and also to locate the apical end. The files and reamers are metal wires which may be barbed or smooth and are available in various sizes depending upon the length of the canal. Once the entire canal is cleaned and shaped, X-rays are taken to check and confirm the same.
After the canal is prepared the filling material is placed in the prepared canal to seal the pulp cavity. The material used for restoring the pulp is gutta-percha as it is biocompatible material and does not cause much irritation. Once the root canal is sealed with gutta-percha, the superficial surface of the tooth crown is build up with composite material. This entire procedure can be completed in either single sitting or multiple sittings.
The tooth buildup can further be trimmed or prepped and an impression of the same is taken to get a crown made. A crown is necessary after a root canal treatment as once the pulp is removed the tooth becomes brittle and can crack even on slight force. The crown protects the tooth from breaking.
Are there any complications associated with root canal procedure ?
Root canal treatment is one of the most widely practiced dental treatments and problems may arise only if there’s any overfilling, under filling, contamination during the procedure. If the canal is not cleaned up properly during the procedure it may lead to failure of the root canal treatment. In such cases a retreatment may be required.
What is the outcome of a root canal procedure ?
The success rates of root canal treatment are reported in literature and are up to 95% in most of the patients. Some patients live with a root canal treatment for the rest of their lives without any trouble. It is the choice of treatment in most patients who have deep dental decay as temporary restorations may eventually fail. It is a tedious procedure and requires your time and patience so it is very essential to ask your treating surgeon if root canal treatment is required for you and what are the benefits and risks associated with the same.
How to find dental surgeons for root canal procedure ?
Now you can find and reach dental surgeons for root canal procedure from different dental clinics, hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple dental surgeons , get approximate cost for root canal procedure from different dental clinics and hospitals, compare things and then choose a dental surgeon or a hospital for root canal procedure.
Find and choose a dental surgeon for root canal procedure on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
