What Is A Root Canal And Why Is It Required ?

"Root canal" in dental terms is used to describe the natural cavity within the centre of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth's nerve lies within the root canal.

A root canal (RCT) is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal 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(pus) may form.

A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory -- to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a tooth nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.

When a tooth's nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth.

In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause:

Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head

Bone loss around the tip of the root

At Therapeuo, Mumbai’s only NABH accredited dental clinic, root canal requires one or more visits and is performed by our root canal specialist (Endodontist). An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the human dental pulp or the nerve of the tooth.

The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in a surrounding bone. Our endodontist will then use local anaesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. Dental anaesthesia may not be necessary always, since the nerve is dead, however if we may still anesthetize the area to make you more relaxed and at ease.

An access hole will then be drilled into the tooth. The pulp along with bacteria, the decayed nerve tissue and related debris is removed from the tooth. The cleaning out process is accomplished using root canal files. A series of these files of increasing diameter are each subsequently placed into the access hole and worked down the full length of the tooth to scrape and scrub the sides of the root canals. Water or sodium hypochlorite is used periodically to flush away the infected debris.

Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed however, if there is an infection, we may put a medication inside the tooth to clear it up. If the root canal is not completed on the same day, a temporary filling is placed in the exterior hole in the tooth to keep out contaminants like saliva and food between appointments.

At the next appointment, to fill the interior of the tooth, a sealer paste and a rubber compound called gutta percha is placed into the tooth's root canal. To fill the exterior access hole created at the beginning of treatment, a filling known as a Core is placed.

The final step may involve further restoration of the tooth. This is because a tooth that needs a root canal often is one that has a large filling or extensive decay or other weakness, a crown, crown and post, or other restoration often needs to be placed on the tooth to protect it, prevent it from breaking, and restore it to full function. Our restorative dentist will discuss the need for any additional dental work with you.

Here at Therapeuo Mumbai’s only NABH Accredited dental clinic near you, you can be sure of the strict protocols we follow in order to ensure and maintain your safety. We offer an array of dental services like restorative dentistry, children’s dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, laser dentistry, teeth whitening. Therapeuo ensures your comfort and safety ensuring a well-informed diagnosis helping to complete your treatment efficiently and correctly. As you enter our doors you can breathe easy and be assured that you’re in good hands.

Book your appointment with us for a perfect oral health!

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