Root Canal

root_canal

Root Canal Treatment – Everything You Should Know

 

 

Endodontic therapy, more commonly known as Root Canal therapy, is a dental process that aims at removing infection plaguing a tooth.

It is necessary when the tooth decay has broken through the outer coating and dentin layers and infested the heart of the tooth. The procedure is usually performed to treat septicity at the center of a tooth.

Targeting the root canal or pulp of the tooth, Dentists in Delhi, NCR, Noida, Vaishali, are experts in performing root canal therapy to protect the tooth from future infections.

Not at all painful, the treatment, in fact, helps in getting rid of the pain caused by the decaying tooth. The root canal is often affected by a broad cavity or a cracked tooth. It can also be caused by the repeated dental treatment that is not carried out correctly.

A skilled procedure, the aim of root canal therapy is to save the natural teeth by avoiding extractions.

Extractions should always be the last option as the process can leave gaps which can cause harm to the other teeth. It can also cause problems while biting or chewing food.

Dental X-rays are the best way to know if you need a root canal therapy. It shows if the pulp is affected or inflicted by a bacterial infection. If not treated in time, the bacteria can multiply and spread and can cause severe harm to the overall health of the teeth.

Some of the common indications of tooth infection are:

  • Severe pain while chewing or drinking cold or hot beverages.
  • A wobbly tooth
  • Throbbing pain when biting foods like meat.
  • Inflammation of the gum near the affected tooth
  • Pus coming out from the impacted tooth
  • Swelling of the face.
  • Discoloration of the tooth

 

It is best to book an appointment with the dentist in Delhi NCR if you are experiencing a frequent toothache.  Remember, an infected pulp doesn’t heal by itself. If not treated properly, it can cause more harm, and the chances of root canal therapy are working will be reduced.

Antibiotics alone can never treat the bacterial infection affecting the pulp of the tooth efficiently. Dental treatment is a must. While dentists do prescribe medicines as part of the dental work, they alone are not sufficient to eliminate the bacteria feeding on your tooth.

 

Root Canal & Extraction: The Difference

Depending on the severity of the condition of the tooth, dentists in Delhi, NCR, Noida, Vaishali determine the procedure that will be performed to treat the affected tooth.

People often get confused between root canal and extraction and usually take them to be the same procedure.  However, the two are entirely different.

The root canal is a difficult procedure which is carried out by dentists to repair a tooth that is either infected or damaged due to bacterial infection.

During the process, the wounded part of the inside of the tooth is removed. Once this is done, the pulp is then cleaned properly to disinfect the surrounding area.

After a thorough cleaning, the tooth is filled and sealed using crowns.  Since the pulp is affected, a root canal is the best way to treat and repair the trauma.

Extraction, on the other hand, involves the complete removal of the entire damaged tooth and not of the distressed root. During an extraction process, the injured tooth is removed from its socket within the bone.

Once the tooth is extracted, the dentist then replaces the same with a dental implant. Dental implants are a false tooth that looks exactly like real teeth. However, they are not real and are fused to the jawbone using a biocompatible substance. If the extracted tooth is not replaced on time, it can cause several problems shortly.

 

Steps Involved in Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment involves cleaning of the canals inside the tooth’s root. Dental Clinics in Delhi NCR usually perform the root canal therapy in three steps. The steps involve:

 

Cleaning of the root canal –

Dentists usually begin the treatment by cleaning the root canal of by the treatment process by removing the debris inside the root canal. Before the treatment starts, local anesthesia is given to the patient by the dental specialists. Then, he creates a small access hole on the exterior of the tooth and using small files, the affected pulp tissue is removed.

 

Filling the root canal

The second step involves the cleaning, shaping, and decontamination of the hollow area.

Dental Clinics in Delhi NCR use tiny files and irrigation solutions to do the same. After the cleaning process, the dentist then fills the hollow area of the tooth with a rubber-like material to ensure seal the canals completely.

Once the root canal therapy is completed, the patient will no longer feel any pain since the tooth is dead. Also, since the nerve tissue has been removed and the impurity has been eliminated, the patient will be able to live a pain-free life.

 

Adding a crown or filling

The dead tooth is not fragile. A no pulp tooth receives its nutrition from the tendon that fastens the tooth to the bone.

Although this supply is enough, as time passes, the tooth becomes brittle.

To save the tooth from the same, a crown or filling is done to ensure protection. If the patient chooses to go for crown or filling is complete, it is important to ensure that one doesn’t chew anything.

It is only after the filling session that the patient can get back to his routine.

 

Advantages of Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment becomes essential when the root canal system, which contains the pulp, becomes infected and inflamed.

When it is not controlled, the possibility of the infection spreading to the other areas of the jaw, neck, and head are quite high. If left unattended for a prolonged period, the infection can take the entire body in its grip and can also cause multiple organ damages.

This can prove to be an extremely life-threatening condition.

A toothache can be quite severe and painful, especially when not appropriately diagnosed.

It can lead to sleepless nights, and the patient can experience severe discomfort while chewing food. Undergoing root canal therapy in Delhi, NCR, Noida, Vaishali is an entirely painless procedure.

 After the session, there is absolutely no discomfort, and the patient can lead a healthy life. It is all thanks to the techniques used at Dental Clinics in Delhi NCR.

Benefits of Saving the Natural Tooth

  • Saves Natural Tooth: Endodontic treatment doesn’t dampen or alter the natural smile. After the procedure, one can continue to eat anything and everything, but with a little bit of caution. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
  • Virtually Pain-Free Procedure: A painless procedure, Root canal treatment usually causes no or minimal discomfort. The pain is nothing as compared to the case where a natural tooth is extracted.  Dental clinics in Delhi, NCR use modern techniques and effective anesthesia to treat patients opting for root canal therapy.
  • Efficient & Cost-Effective: Tooth extraction is not only time consuming but is also quite expensive as compared to root canal therapy. The extraction procedure requires several follow-ups for a bridge denture or implant. This further adds up to the treatment cause and doesn’t even save the natural tooth.
  • Visually Appealing Result: Root canal therapy uses crowns which function just like natural teeth. They help improve smile and look aesthetically appealing as well.


Duration of Treatment

People often think that root canal therapy is a long, time-consuming process and demands numerous follow-up appointments with the dental specialist.  

The truth, however, is that a typical root canal therapy can be completed in one single setting and lasts up to 20 – 55 minutes.

Now, some cases can demand a follow-up. However, the treatment span depends on the severity of the condition.

 There are cases where the treatment can be completed in one appointment, but if there are curved canals, multi-canals, or massive infections, it can require additional meetings.

 


Cost involved

 

As mentioned earlier, x-rays are taken to assess the condition of the affected tooth. Dental specialist or an endodontist cannot give a fixed root canal price until they have examined the mouth and the spread of infection.

Performed to save the original teeth from extraction, root canal treatment targets the pulp of the affected tooth.  Depending on the severity of the infection and various clinical situations, there are different types of treatment. These include conventional, single sitting, Laser-aided RCT, and the advanced Microendodontics.

 

  • Root Canal Treatment (X Smart – Pro Taper System) can cost somewhere between INR 4,500 – 6,0000.
  • Root Canal Treatment (Laser assisted) usually cost between INR 5,500 – 8,000.

 

Apart from the cost involved, one must not forget the importance of having the original tooth restored. Remember, originality can never be replaced.  Root canal treatment is the best option for saving a tooth that would otherwise be extracted.

 

Dos and Dont’s

To ensure a successful and comfortable treatment, here are some basic dos and don’ts to follow:

  • Stick to the medication prescribed by the dentist and ensure to have the same before the procedure begins.
  • Don’t anticipate the pain, and don’t get scared if there is a little discomfort or a mild sensation.
  • Apply an ice pack in case of mild pain
  • Sleep with head raised to minimize swelling.
  • Avoid hard food items immediately after the treatment.
  • Follow oral hygiene and continue regular brushing on the root canal treated tooth.
  • Follow a soft diet for a few days to give the tooth the needed healing time.
  • Get in touch with the dental professional in case of any abnormalities or discomfort. Do not hesitate from asking questions and do go for regular follow-up appointments with your endodontist.

Avoid:

  • Don’t be lazy. Get the treated tooth capped at the earliest. It is always better to have it restored with a crown to avoid additional damages or even a fracture.
  • Never skip the medication. Even if there is no pain, it is best to take the prescribed medicine to ensure proper healing of the root canal.
  • Be calm during the root canal treatment. Anticipating the pain is futile. Dentist often suggests their patients relax during the entire process.
  • After the treatment is completed, it is best advised not to consume excessively cold or hot beverages.
  • Smokers should not smoke for a minimum of 24 hours.
  • Drinking should also be avoided for at least a day.

 

Root canal therapy has a 95% success rate. By following these easy guidelines, one can get a positive result from the root canal therapy and enjoy many more years of a healthy smile.

In spite of the reasonably high success rate of root canal treatment, there are cases where patients experience problems. Root canal complications can arise after a few days of treatment and can be caused by one or the following reasons mentioned below.

 

Reasons for a failed root canal:

  • Missing of the canal by the dentist during initial treatment
  • Improper or an incomplete treatment
  • Tissue left inside the tooth
  • A rupture in the root
  • Outflow of bacteria

 


Some Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a root canal and why do I need root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is performed to treat the inside or the interior of the tooth. It is performed when the X-ray indicates that the pulp is inflamed or infected. If not treated on time, it can cause a severe toothache. Reasons for the same can be deep decay, faulty crowns, various dental procedures on the tooth, etc. If left untreated, it can also lead abscess. An untreated abscess keeps on multiplying and infects the bone around the root.  This infection can further spread into surrounding tissue and bones. There have been cases reported where people have died from infections arising from a tooth abscess. Even though antibiotics work well to stop the infection from disseminating, root canal treatment is the best way to remove the infection. The treatment involves cleaning out of all the deceased tissue and bacteria inside the root canal and the pulp chamber. Then other abscesses can also affect the teeth, For instance, periodontal abscesses. These are mainly painful and require a different treatment.

 

During the root canal treatment process, the infected pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is carefully disinfected by cleaning it thoroughly. After the thorough cleaning, the narrow hole is filled with gutta-percha. Once the filling is done, the original tooth is refurbished with a crown for protection. Once the treatment is complete, the tooth acts like the other teeth.

 

Why should one go to an Endodontist (Root Canal Specialist)?

Endodontists are dental specialists who are specialized and have additional experience. The endodontists at Dental Clinics in Delhi, NCR uses state-of-the-art technology such as ultrasonic instrumentation, digital imaging, operating microscopes, fiber optics, to treat their patients comfortably and quickly

 

Is root canal treatment painful?

Root canal treatment is a painless procedure. Carried out under the efficacy of a local anesthesia, the treatment in fact relieves pain. The entire procedure can be completed in one hour, all thanks to the modern techniques and equipment used by Dentists in Delhi, NCR, Noida, Vaishali.  Also, dental specialist helps the patient through the entire treatment procedure and assist in case of any discomfort.

 

Would extraction be a better alternative?

It is best advised to save the natural teeth. Extraction is only recommended if there is no other option left. Remember, nothing can replace the natural tooth completely. Having an artificial tooth is a big step as it requires proper care. In such cases, one is also expected to avoid specific food items. However, if your dentist recommends extraction, do not shy away from asking whether root canal treatment is an option.

Root canal treatment is not only a cost-effective way to treat damaged teeth, but also has a very high success rate.  Usually, a tooth treated via root canal can last a lifetime as well. An implant or placement of a bridge, on the other hand, is a time-consuming treatment and may require further procedures to adjacent teeth and support tissues.

 

How long does a root canal take?

The amount of time taken for root canal procedure depends on the details of the process as well as on the tooth that is infected.  Normally the procedure takes close to 1-2 hours. The dentist can perform treatment itself in one visit. At times, the patient requires a second appointment.

 

What happens after the root canal is done?

After removing the pulp, the dental specialist cleans the area and does the filling. After the entire procedure, the patient is expected to avoid chewing for a few hours. It is to let the filling set in. After the prescribed timeline, patients can come back to their normal schedule.

 

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