What is a Root Canal?
Decaying of a tooth because of cavity is sometime inevitable. Problem starts when the decaying process become so profound that the tooth gets badly infected and abscesses may form, generally at the center of the tooth.
This is a time when you have to see a dentist for a root canal treatment. A root canal treatment typically involves removing of nerves that are dead and the pulp that has been formed in the area. The infected tooth is then thoroughly cleaned and secured thereafter.
The nerve that is removed during this process does not have a major role to play in tooth’s health. So even after the nerve has been removed, your daily activities are not going to be hampered. Only the sensation of hot or cold is going to be affected because of it, which is the core function of a nerve i.e to provide sensation.
Some signs that indicate a Root Canal Treatment
Some of the typical signs that indicate a root canal treatment are
*Terrible pain in the tooth
*An increased sensitivity to hot or cold
*Formation of dental abscess
*Swelling of gums
*Sometimes darkening of the tooth
Root Canal – What happens during the treatment?
You can visit any dentist for a root canal symptom. Upon examination, the dentist will tell you the degree to which your tooth is infected. A more serious treatment is usually performed by an endodontist. An endodontist is an expert in problems related to human dental pulp and nerve of the tooth. A good dentist may arrange the treatment by an experienced endodontist at his clinic only.
The Steps
X-Ray : The X-ray would be done to determine the seriousness of the problem. It helps in assessing if the surrounding area or bones have been affected by problem.
Anesthesia: An anesthesia may be given to numb the area around the tooth to ease the pain and uncomfortable during the treatment.
Rubber dam: The dentist will place a sheet of rubber around the tooth to keep it dry of saliva.
Drilling: The dentist will drill your tooth with precision to create an access hole into the tooth. The pulp,and nerves will be thus removed during the procedure. The debris is removed using water or sodium hypochlorite.
Sealing: After thorough cleaning, the tooth is then sealed. There is usually a week’s gap between cleaning and sealing, the dentist may put a temporary filling. However. less serious cases may be sealed on the same day.
Final Sealing: During the next appointment, the dentist will permanently fill the tooth using a sealer paste and a rubber compound called gutta percha.
Restoration: The final restoration of tooth includes putting a crown on the tooth to prevent it from breaking or any other problem.
Root canal treatments are highly successful treatment for serious decay to the tooth. The treatments may last for a good time and sometimes whole life depending on the care you do.
Prevention from a Root Canal
Since decay, trauma or frequent dental procedures may result in decay of a tooth nerve and inflammation of pulp, practicing oral hygiene – regular brushing, flossing is vital to overall teeth health. While indulging in high risk physical activities, try to guard your mouth wearing a mouth guard.
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