Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that is used to repair and save a tooth that is infected or damaged. It is a common and generally successful treatment that can help to prevent the need for tooth extraction. Root canal treatment can be performed by a dentist or an endodontist, a specialist who is trained in this type of procedure.

Reasons that may require a tooth to undergo root canal treatment (RCT)

A tooth may need to go for root canal treatment if the pulp, the living tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or damaged. The pulp can become infected or damaged as a result of a deep cavity, a crack in the tooth, or trauma to the tooth.

When the pulp becomes infected or damaged, it can cause severe pain and may lead to an abscess, a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the root of the tooth. An abscess can be very painful and may require more extensive treatment.

Root canal treatment is a way to remove the infected or damaged pulp and to save the tooth. The procedure involves removing the infected or damaged tissue, cleaning and sealing the inside of the tooth, and restoring the tooth with a crown or filling to protect it and restore its function. Without root canal treatment, the infected or damaged tooth may need to be extracted.

RCT procedure

Root canal treatment typically involves the following steps:

1. Anesthesia

The area around the tooth is numbed with local anesthesia to make the procedure more comfortable.

2. Access

An opening is made in the top of the tooth to allow the dentist to access the inside of the tooth.

3. Pulp removal

Using special instruments, the dentist removes the infected or damaged pulp from inside the tooth.

4. Cleaning and shaping

The inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for filling.

5. Filling and sealing

The inside of the tooth is filled with a special material called gutta-percha to seal it and protect it from further infection.

6. Restoration

After the root canal treatment is completed, the tooth may be restored with a crown or filling to help protect it and restore its function.

The entire process may take one or more visits to the dentist, depending on the severity of the infection or damage. After the root canal treatment is completed, the tooth may be sensitive for a few days, but it should eventually return to normal function.