Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a common term used to describe endodontic therapy. As the name suggest, it involves treatment of the canal within the root of the tooth and hence the term “ENDO-DONTIC” therapy.

RCT is a common, quick and straight forward procedure performed to relieve dental pain and save the natural tooth.

Although is dreaded procedure, it can be made painless and comfortable with the care by an Endodontist. (A specialized person to do the Root Canal Treatment).

When does a tooth need RCT?

A tooth that has inflammation or infection in its root and exhibits the following symptoms may need a RCT:-

• Severe pain upon chewing or application of pressure.
• Prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot and cold temperature.
• Sudden onset of severe pain in the evenings or in the middle of the night.
• Spontaneous pain in the tooth.
• Swelling in the jaws / gums.
• Discolored teeth.
• Broken teeth / grossly destructed teeth even if they are asymptomatic.

RCT is designed to eliminate the bacteria and infected pulp tissue from the root canal and prevent the tooth from infection.

A normal tooth has following structure in cross section.

• A white outer covering called ENAMEL.
• Beneath the enamel is a hard-yellowish layer called DENTIN which is a collection of tiny tubules connecting the outer enamel to the soft tissue underneath called “PULP”.
• Pulp contains the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues which help to grow the root of the tooth during early development and keeps the tooth alive.

What are the causes for a tooth to need RCT?

Inflammation or infection in the pulp.

The causes of pulp inflammation or infection can be: -

• Deep decay (cavity).
• Repeated dental procedures such as multiple fillings on the same tooth or change of crowns.
• Crack or chip in the tooth.
• Trauma due to fall / accidents.
• Traumatic bite / occlusion.
• As a consequence of severe gum problems.
• Faulty crowns.
• Broken tooth.
• Discolored tooth.

What to expect during RCT?

• During RCT an endodontist thoroughly anesthetizes the tooth and then carefully removes the inflamed and infected pulp tissue, disinfect the root canal space subsequently shape and clean the canal space using endodontic files and irrigation system.
• Then the canal space is filled 3-dimentionally using inert filling material called Gutta Percha.
• In the following visit the tooth is restored with a permanent tooth colored filling and rebuild to its original shape (if it is a front tooth).
• In case of a back tooth (posterior tooth) a crown will have to be placed after the permanent filling.

A well done RCT can help:

• To relieve tooth pain.
• Preserve your natural tooth structure.
• Maintain your natural smile / appearance.
• Provide normal / optimum chewing.
• Preserve normal biting forces and sensations.