root canal treatment
SAVE YOUR NATURAL TOOTH
Root Canal Treatment
The primary cause of tooth infection is the oral bacteria “Streptococcus Mutans” that invades chipped, cracked, and decayed tooth. The infection may or may not be painful depending on the severity of the decay. In either case, a root canal treatment comes in handy to clean the inside part of a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. An endodontist will remove the bacteria from the cavity, clean, shape, fill the root canals, and seal the cavity. During your second visit, the dentist will place a crown on the tooth to restore it to full function.
Avoid Extraction
Relieve Toothache
Read Further
Symptoms and Signs That Shows You Need a Root Canal Treatment:
- Decayed, broken, cracked, or loosened tooth
- Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache pain that is hard to locate and may radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Dull ache and pressure
- Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
- Swelling of the face
- Swelling of the gums near the infected tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes under your neck or jaws
Causes of Tooth Pulp Damage or Infection:
- Advanced gum infection
- Teeth grinding
- Deep tooth cavity
- Deep tooth decay beneath a tooth filling that gets untreated
- Repeated dental practice such as drilling, filling, and crowns
- Chipped or cracked tooth
Benefits of Saving the Natural Teeth with Root Canal Treatment
- Efficient chewing
- Natural appearance
- Normal biting force and sensation
- Protects other teeth from getting infected
What to Expect During a Root Canal Treatment
Here is a systematic procedure on how root canal treatment is performed:
Step 1: Numbing the infected tooth
The infected tooth is numb with anaesthesia to block pain around the tooth region. In severe cases where the pulp in an infected tooth is vastly inflamed, it may take a little bit longer to get a complete numbness. However, you need not worry because our dentists ensure you’re completely numb and the treatment process is painless.
Step 2: Use a Dental Dam
A dental dam, made of a thin vinyl sheet, is positioned over the adjacent and the infected tooth.
A fitting hole is then punched in the dam only leaving the infected tooth to protrude through it. The dam will isolate the infected tooth from the rest of the mouth. This creates an environment that is free of saliva and bacterial contamination found in the mouth.
Step3: Drilling an access hole
A tiny hole is drilled through the top of the affected tooth. It can also be drilled from the front or behind the tooth to get access to the root canal and pulp chamber.
Step 4: Remove diseased pulp tissue
Through the access hole, the diseased pulp tissue and nerves are carefully removed with special instruments.
Step 5: Disinfecting and shaping the canals
Once the pulp is removed, an antibiotic or antiseptic solution is used to disinfect the canals. After that, the canals are appropriately shaped using a special flexible dental instrument.
Step 6: Selecting a root canal filling and doing the filling
The root canal is then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” Proper sealing of the root canal is highly recommended to prevent reinfection.
Step 7: Cementing a crown
A crown is then cemented to restore the lost tooth structure and protect the entire tooth from re-infection.
Step 8: Post Care
An antibiotic is normally prescribed to prevent infection. However, when you feel any discomfort such as mild soreness, it is recommended to use mild painkillers to relieve the discomfort.