A treatment used to restore and save badly injured or contaminated teeth is root canal treatment. Owing to deep cavities, the nerve and core of the tooth can become irritated, inflamed and contaminated.
The nerve and the tooth are separated during root canal procedure, and the inner portion is washed and closed. The tissue around the tooth will become contaminated without treatment and an abscess can form.
For tooth function, the tooth nerve is not important and its only function is limited to sensory function – to provide a sensation of heat or cold and the lack of the nerve does not change the way the tooth functions.
Why should I have the Pulp removed?
It decomposes when the pulp or nerve tissue is weakened and bacteria start spreading within the pulp chamber. An inflammation or tooth abscess may be caused by bacteria and other decaying debris. An abscess is a pocket filled with pus produced at the end of the roots of the tooth. If the inflammation reaches through the ends of the tooth roots, an abscess occurs. Infection in the root canal may also cause: • swelling that can spread to other parts of the face, neck or head; bone loss around the root tip; complications spreading outward from the root. A hole can occur with leakage into the gums through the side of the tooth, or through the cheek with a discharge into the skin.
What are the symptoms of a root canal?
If you need to treat the root canal, you can note the following signs:
- Persistent tooth sensitivity, particularly for heat or cold;
- Extreme discomfort while chewing or biting • Proliferation of gum tablets
- missing or cracked teeth • swelling or pain in the gums • deep decay or black gum.
Root Channel Therapy Procedures
Dentist or dental root therapist may perform root canal therapy. The following procedures will be taken by your doctor:
Your dentist will take an X-ray of the teeth and see what the root canals are like and to see if there are any signs of inflammation in the bones around them. Local anesthesia may be used to numb the near-age region at the start of therapy. You do not require anesthesia when the nerve is gone, but most dentists also do anaesthesia in the region to help you feel more comfortable.
Your dentist will put a rubber barrier (a piece of rubber) around the tooth to keep the area dry and clear of saliva during surgery.
The next move is to dig a tooth entrance. Pulp, bacteria and dead nerve tissue are extracted from the teeth. When the work is done, water or sodium hypochlorite will be sprayed to wash waste in the area.
When the tooth is properly washed, it is closed as some dentists want to wait two days before the tooth closes. For example, if you have an infection, your dentist can put a medicine in your tooth to clean it up. Others can prefer to close the tooth on the same day that the tooth is cleaned.
If root canal therapy is not done on the same day, a temporary filling is inserted in the outer opening of the tooth to prevent saliva and food from contaminating the canal between appointments.
On the next date, rubber compound called gutta percha are inserted in the root canal to fill the inside of the tooth. The filling will be put to close the access slot created at the start of the procedure.
The final step may require additional repairs to the tooth. The tooth that requires root canal care is always a large filler, large decay, or other deficiency.
Recovery of the root canal
After a root canal operation, the mouth will be numb for a couple of hours. Most people will go back to work, school, or some other activity instantly. You may want to wait until the numbness is gone before you feed.
For the first few days after the completion of root canal care, the tooth may feel sensitive due to tissue inflammation, particularly if there was pain or infection prior to the procedure. This can usually be relieved by an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen
Until the root canal procedure is complete, with permanent filling in place or crown, try to stop chewing on the tooth.
This helps keep the area clean and can prevent damaged teeth from cracking before being completely restored.
Clean and float your teeth, use antiseptic mouthwash like you regularly do, and see your dentist at regular intervals.
Success rate of root canal therapy
Root canal treatment is very successful; the success rate of the procedure is over 95%. Many teeth attached to the root canal will last for a lifetime.
Complications of the root canal
A new infection can occur following root canal treatment. The following are among the potential explanations for this:
If a large number of teeth are required for root canal care, a doctor may leave one unclean.
Unexplored crack at the root of the tooth
The restoration issue allowed the bacteria to get inside the teeth.
Breaking down the inner lining over time, allowing the bacteria to restrain the inner teeth.
Often, re-treatment will fix the issue, but sometimes you can need surgery to save your tooth. The most common technique is apex resection or root-end resection.
It decreases inflammation or infection in the bones at the end of a tooth. In this process, the gum tissue is opened, the contaminated tissue is removed and the end of the root is sometimes removed. A small filling can be used to close the root canal.
Alternatives for root canal
Preserving your natural teeth is the safest way, if possible. Your natural teeth will allow you to eat a variety of foods that are essential to maintain proper nutrition. A root canal operation will help you save your teeth.
The only alternative to a root canal operation is to remove a tooth and substitute it with a bridge, implant or partial removable denture. These solutions are more costly than the root canal procedure and require a longer period of treatment.
How to avoid Root canal
Concept of having strong healthy straight white teeth at old age. Close up portrait of happy with beaming smile female pensioner pointing on her perfect clear white teeth, isolated on gray background
Since certain causes of inflammation and damage to the nerve and pulp of the tooth are caused by deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or large fillings, steps may be taken to prevent root canal treatment:
Brush at least twice a day.
At least once a day, Floss.
To stop sports-related accidents, wear a mouthguard.
See the dentist on a daily basis.