Overview
A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a tooth which is badly decayed or becomes infected. During this procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. Root canal describes the natural cavity within the center of the tooth and the pulp or pulp chamber is the soft region within the root canal. The nerve of the tooth lies within the root canal which is vital for a tooth’s health and function after it has emerged through the gums. Its function is sensory i.e. to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day to day functioning of the tooth.
Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When the tooth pulp or nerve tissue gets damaged, it breaks down and starts to multiply within the pulp chamber. The decayed debris and bacteria causes abscesses or an infected tooth. Other tooth issues caused by damaged tooth pulp are:
- Drainage into the cheek, gums and skin
- Bone loss around the tip of the root
- Swelling of the face, head or neck
What Damages a Tooth’s Nerve and Pulp in the First Place?
There are several ways in which the pulp or nerve of a tooth gets inflamed, infected or irritated. A crack or chip in the tooth, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, deep decay, and/or large fillings or trauma to the face are the causes for damaging a tooth’s nerve and pulp.
How Successful Are Root Canals?
The root canals are highly successful treatment since the procedure has over 95% success rate. Most teeth fixed with a root canal can last over a lifetime. Further, since the final step of the root canal procedure is application of a restoration such as a crown or a filling, it will not be obvious to the onlookers that a root canal was performed.
Complications of a Root Canal
Despite the best efforts by your dentist to clean and seal a tooth new infections might emerge post a root canal treatment. The most likely reasons for this include:
- An undetected crack in the root of the tooth
- More than normally anticipated number of root canal in the tooth
- A breakdown of the inner sealing material over time which allows the bacteria to re-contaminate the inner aspects of the tooth
- A defective or inadequate dental restoration that allows the bacteria to get past the restoration into the inner aspects of the tooth thereby re-contaminate it
Cost of a Root Canal
The cost of a root canal varies depending on how severe the problem is and the tooth gets affected. Most dental insurance policies cover the endodontic treatments. We are more than happy to provide you with a free consultation which will allow us to give you estimation for the cost of root canal treatment in India. The special packages for root canal treatment in India at Indian Healthguru Consultants is quite affordable compared to the cost of treatment in the West.
Root Canal Prevention
You can prevent a root canal by using good oral hygiene such as flossing and brushing. Visit your dentist regularly so that if he/she detects a cavity, then it can be fixed with a filling as soon as possible. Otherwise, a cavity will become bigger over time and this can lead to an abscessed tooth which should be treated with a root canal. Trauma caused from a sports-related injury can be reduced by wearing a mouth guard.
Bottom Line
With proper care, a treated and restored tooth can last a lifetime. Root canals have a high success rate. Few ways to take care of your teeth after a root canal includes practicing good oral hygiene, visiting dentist regularly, avoiding to chew on hard foods as they cause the teeth to break and can harm the root canals. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. Take care of your teeth to prevent future problems. Get cleanings and examinations done by your dentists and hygienists.
Indian Healthguru Consultants have been a pioneer to provide assistance to the global patients seeking their root canal treatment in India. Get in touch with Indian HealthGuru Consultants, and together we can see if root canal treatment is right for you.