Root Canal Treatment
Root canal therapy, often known as root canal treatments, is an endodontic technique used to treat infected dental pulp. A tooth consists of two parts; a crown, that is visible in the mouth and the root that is submerged into the jaw bone. Crown consists of three layers enamel, dentin, and dental pulp. These layers make up a tooth structure. The dental pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves, is the living portion of the tooth and it originates and extends from the root into the crown part.
Dental pulp keeps the tooth alive by supplying it with the nutrition it needs. When the oral bacteria enter the deep tooth layers (dentine, and pulp) it causes inflammation leading to dental pulp death, if left untreated.
There are various reasons to have an infected pulp:
– A deep dental cavity/decayed tooth that reaches deep into the pulp
– A leaky filling that accumulates bacteria under a filling hence causing a secondary decay
– A damaged tooth due to trauma: Trauma could be due to many reasons such as fall, chewing onto hard food resulting in a crack, or chipped tooth exposing the pulp to the oral bacteria.
Swelling in the gums around the tooth, sensitivity, and discomfort when chewing or biting is all signs of a pulp infection. The pain may include continuous sensitivity to cold/hot and pain upon chewing. However, a tooth may or may not experience symptoms of pain at the initial stages (varies from patient to patient), but at severe stages, pain is the common symptom.
At Vision Dental Clinic in Abu Dhabi, we have the best and well experience endodontist.
Why root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is required if the dental pulp is infected and patients complain of having sensitivity to hot/cold and pain upon chewing. These symptoms will disappear if the infection progresses and the tooth will then behave as it is healed but in fact, the infection spreads through the roots and the pulp dies hence giving no response. Therefore, it is important to treat an infected tooth because leaving behind will only make the cases worse.
After some time, a dead pulp will accumulate more bacteria leading to puss formation. This pus may ooze out through the gums or will make its way to other surrounding tissues or spaces. It is dangerous if the infection transports to the facial spaces (sinuses) or neck region.
An extraction might be recommended if the root canal treatment is not possible. But extraction is way more complicated and it requires additional treatments such as implants to fill the extracted space. Moreover, additional treatments will require extra time and money. Hence it is advisable to have root canal treatment as recommended by your dentist or endodontist.
Root Canal Treatment Procedure
After initial medical and dental history, our dentist or endodontist performs a thorough clinical and radio-graphical assessment. After the assessments, treatment and care plan will be devised. On the day of treatment, local anesthesia will be given to the particular treatment area. The tooth is then isolated with the help of a rubber dam to keep the area dry and bacteria-free. The tooth chamber is then opened from the occlusal (chewing area) to access the root canals of the tooth. After that microscopic cleaning of the canals will be achieved using specialized hand and power instruments. The root canals will then be filled with bio-compatible materials. The chamber is then temporarily sealed with the help of temporary filling material to keep the area clean from the oral bacteria.
In the next appointment, the treated tooth is examined to check if the roots are healing or responding well to the filling material. Preparations are then made to fill the tooth chamber with permanent filling and measurements are taken to make a crown for the tooth. A crown is then cemented onto the tooth in the next visit.
Note: Mild pain or discomfort will be experienced after the procedure and usually will diminish with time. Until the final restoration is placed it is necessary to keep the area meticulously clean with regular oral hygiene regimens (brushing and flossing).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- Is root canal treatment painful?
The treatment itself is not painful because a numbing agent is used to numb the area. However, mild discomfort or pain can be sensed for some days.
- Is it necessary to have a tooth crown/cap after root canal treatment?
Yes, it is crucial to have a tooth crown/cap after the root canal. After the dental pulp is removed the nutrients that were once provided by a dental pulp are now cutoff. The tooth becomes hollow and cannot hold the opposing tooth forces leading to cracks or brittleness. The crown/cap holds the opposing tooth pressure, hence saving the tooth from cracks and fractures.
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