Root Canal Treatment / Endodontics
Root canal treatment is a main procedure in Endodontics, which is the “study of diseases of the tooth’s pulp”. The pulp lies in the tooth’s center and in canals of each tooth root and consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue to nourish the tooth.
When do you need RCT?
The need for root canal treatment arises for two main reasons:
- Infection or permanent damage to the tooth’s pulp: Commonly this is the result of an untreated cavity, which allows the bacteria to enter and infect the pulp. Inflammation resulting from such infection restricts the tooth's blood supply. Hence antibiotic treatment is not effective in treating it.
- Trauma or dental restorative work: Trauma and extensive dental restorativework can also result in the need for root canal treatment
In the case of pulp infection, no pain is felt at first. Pain and swelling occur if the infection is left untreated. An abscess may develop. The following are common signs and symptoms of pulp infection:
- Touching, pushing, or biting down on a tooth makes results in pain
- Tooth is sensitive to heat and cold for more than a few seconds
- Swelling near the tooth
- Discoloration of tooth (with or without pain)
- Broken tooth
Root Canal Treatment
One or sometimes more visits are needed for root canal treatment, depending on the complexity of the case. In some cases, root canals are difficult to locate so the treatment takes longer. After the treatment is completed, the patient should get the tooth restored with a crown.
Treatment Procedure
Root canal treatment proceeds in the following steps:
Measuring
The dentist will numb the area around the tooth. The dentist will then make a hole in the top or back of the infected tooth to reach the pulp chamber. Next thing to do is to remove the infected pulp. Then the root canals are measured by means of x-rays or an electric device called an apex locator. Both may be used in measuring.
Cleaning
Cleaning includes the removal of all the infected tissue from the canal by means of specially designed instruments. After the removal of infected tissue, the canal is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
Filling
After cleaning the canal, the whole of it is filled down to the roots with inert filling material. A temporary or permanent filling is then used to seal the access hole, and it is highly recommended to get a crown at the earliest patient convenience. Dentist may prescribe analgesics and antibiotics to relieve the pain. They may also advise not to chew on the treated side. To learn more about the treatment options, to schedule an appointment give us a call at (505)585-5157(or) email at apexdentalnm@gmail.com (or) simply fill out a form on our website.
