Root canal treatment - Get the facts right

Among a whole host of dentel remedies, if there’s one that are most injudicious and ill advised about,-it has to be the infamous Root canal Treatment (RCT). In fact, time and again, it is discussed synonymously with pain. How very incorrect! your RCT, as it is commonly called, may well turn out to be 100 per cent paineless; chances are you might even enjoy the whole procedure!

When do you need an RCT?

A root canal treatment is generally indicated when

1.There has been trauma to tooth as in an injury, fall or accident where tooth is fractured or discoloured.2.There is a large decay in the tooth extending to the roots causing recuring pain or swelling or both.

3.There is an opening in gums, which drains pus through a sinus tract that leads to an abscess sur-rounding the roots. Cavitties extend very close to the nerve causing exterme pain.

What extactly is done?

The procedure begins with an intra-oral x-ray, which shows the extend of decay or the the rounded black spot at the end of the roots indicating a decrease in density of bone to infection.

After local anesthesoa to the concerned tooth, access is gained to the nerve area by a dental drill and a hole is made which leads to pulp chamber. Cleaning the tooth out to remove bacteria, degen erated nerve and debris is then done using RC files. These files are a series of increasing diameter used with a twisting motion as well as up and down in tooth to scrape and scrub sides of canals.

The tooth is peridically flushed with saline or water. Once the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned, the interior is sealed by placing a root canal filling material either the same day or sub-sequently. The most commonRC filling material, a rubber compound called ‘gutta oercha’ comes in preformed cones that are sized to match the files used to clean the canals. The cones are placed into the root canal(coated with a sealer))

exactly to the tip of tooth, lengh is confirmed with an x-ray. The crown of tooth is then filled with amalgam(silver) filling which seals tooth from above.

Common myths about RCT:1. The pain is unbearable: In most cases RCT almost becomes a non-event, it being no more uncomfortable than an average filling as the nerve tissue in the tooth has degenerated and cannot transmit pain.

2. It’s a long procedure: Contrary to popular belief that it takes several appointments lasting two to three weeks, your RCT may be over in as many as 3-4 sittings.

3. Once RCT is done its over: This procedure is followed by placement of a custom made crown (cap) available in different materials like ceramic, metal or combination to give addittional reinforcement to weakened tooth.

The author is dental surgeon and can be contacted at ALL SMILES DENTAL CLINIC, 26673439, 9845085230