What leads to a root canal?
A root canal is the natural cavity within the center of the tooth that is filled with soft pulp tissue and sensory nerves. When this root pulp is infected or inflamed, root canal treatment is advised. This treatment helps save the tooth from extraction and prevents the infection from spreading to the healthy tissue around the infected tooth, which can sometimes lead to the formation of an abscess. Neglecting the infected tooth can spread the swelling to the face, neck, or head. It also affects the bone around the tip of the root. Helps restore the natural tooth.
What causes tooth decay or infection?
A deep decay caused by an infected tooth, a cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures or large fillings in the tooth, and sometimes due to facial trauma. These reasons make the pulp of the tooth irritated and inflamed.
How long does it take for the RCT?
An RCT may require a couple of dental office visits and often be treated by RCT specialists or endodontists specializing in root canal therapy. An x-ray is recommended to see the extent of infection or damage to the tooth and to confirm treatment.
The procedure involves numbing the area locally, to comfort the patient. An access hole is drilled into the tooth to remove infected pulp, any related debris, and bacteria using root canal treatment procedure. After a thorough treatment cleaning, some dentists seal it the same day, or sometimes temporarily seal it for a week or so with a medication placed in the canal to completely kill off any lurking infection and prevent infection. contamination of food and saliva entering endodontic therapy. , until the final filling is done at the next appointment.
At the final appointment, the root canal is finally sealed with a rubber compound called gutta-percha and its normal function is restored with the placement of a crown.
The perception is that root canal therapy is very painful, but it is only true that the tooth may experience sensitivity after the completion of this treatment due to inflammation of the natural tissue. Sensitivity also depends on the extent of the infection the person has at the time of treatment.
How long would it take for recovery?
The recovery period is usually no more than a week if the filler is done in a couple of sessions. The tooth may feel sensitive after the first few days after the completion of an RCT. This discomfort is usually treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most of the time, patients can return to their routine activities in a day or two. It is preferred to restrict the repaired tooth to normal biting and chewing to avoid breaking the brittle tooth before it is fully restored.
Benefits of root canal treatment
1) Preserve your natural tooth.
2) Maintaining oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and antiseptic mouthwash ensures that the restored tooth will last a lifetime.
3) RCT success is usually 95%
4) With the restored tooth, it is difficult to differentiate it from the rest of the normal teeth for a viewer.
5) Endodontics is the best option to restore a decayed tooth.
6) Preserves masticatory efficiency and aesthetics.
The other alternative to a root canal procedure is extraction of the tooth and its replacement with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture, to restore chewing function and prevent the tooth from shifting and allow for a proper bite.
However, root canal treatment is the preferred option to preserve the original tooth.
