Root Canal Treatment – A Comprehensive Guide

What is a Root Canal?

Root Canal is the inner hollow chamber of the tooth that is composed of nerves and soft pulpal tissue. The pulpal tissue nourishes the hard and soft tissues of the tooth; while the nerves provide sensation to hot, cold, or pain. At times the tissues within the root canal become sensitive or injured and may cause pain.

Removal of the damaged/dead tissues within the canal followed by sterilization and packing of the canal to save the tooth is called Root Canal treatment. A root canal is commonly performed by a root canal dentist or endodontist. For those severely decayed teeth that cannot be saved by root canal; dental implants or bridges are suggested as an alternative.

When is Root Canal Treatment Needed?

Root canal treatment is recommended under the following conditions:

• Deep infection within the tooth
• Severe pain that does not resolve on the removal of a hot/cold stimulus
• Severe sensitivity
• Deep filling that has irritated the root canal tissues
• Root resorption
• Cracked tooth
• Tooth fracture
• Swelling and abscess formation w.r.t the tooth infection
• Intentional root canal in case of cosmetic treatment
• Discolored tooth due to dead pulpal tissues caused by prior trauma

The tooth requiring root canal treatment may or may not have pain. If a tooth demanding root canal treatment is left untreated it may lead to the spread of infection to surrounding tissues resulting in abscess formation, swelling, and subsequent bone loss.

What are The Steps Involved in Root Canal Treatment?

1.  Cleaning the root canal

The root canal dentist begins with an injection of local anesthesia in an area adjacent to the traumatized tooth. Once the area is numbed, he applies a rubber dam to isolate the tooth. With the drill, he carefully excavates the decayed part if any, and creates an opening through the top portion of the tooth to access the root canal.

A series of files in a sequence is utilized to clean the canal and remove all damaged and dead pulpal tissue. Irrigation is done with an antimicrobial solution to ensure complete removal of debris with simultaneous sterilization. If the infection is widespread a medicinal paste is applied internally and the tooth is temporarily packed. The patient is called for the final filling after a few days.

2. Filling the root canal

The medicinal paste previously placed is removed and the canal is once again irrigated and cleaned. The canal is dried with paper points. A rubber-like material called gutta-percha is used to tightly pack the root canal along with a sealer paste. The entire root canal is sealed to prevent re-entry of micro-organisms. The opening is filled with permanent restorative material.

3. Adding a crown or a filling

The tooth that is being treated is fragile due to loss of nourishment supply from the pulpal tissues. So it is mandatory to place a crown over the tooth to protect it and prevent it from further breakdown. This ensures restoration to function. The part of the root canal-treated tooth above the gums is shaped to receive the final crown. The crown is fabricated in the laboratory. Meanwhile, the patient is given a temporary crown for chewing.

After a week, the temporary crown is replaced by the lab-fabricated permanent crown. Dental cement is used to fix the crown in place. The tooth is now completely healed and ready to be put to use as before.

What Happens During the Root Canal Treatment Procedure?

The root canal procedure when performed by an experienced and skilled root canal dentist is usually painless. The dentist performs the procedure under local anesthesia with complete isolation. An x-ray is taken prior to the procedure to determine the severity and spread of the infection, the shape of the tooth’s root canals, and the condition of surrounding bone and tissues. This gives a fair idea of the course and difficulty of the treatment.

Once an opening is created through the top of the tooth, several files are used in series of increasing diameter and worked down the full length of the root to remove debris and create adequate room for final filling. Anti-microbial solutions of different types are used to decontaminate the root canals. Advanced clinics use microscopes and loupes to enhance the magnification of the minute canals to give premium treatment.

Once the canals are satisfactorily cleaned and dried, the final filling is done. In case any tooth is extensively decayed or fractured a post is placed at the time of final filling in one of the canals to provide extra strength and stability. After the final filling, a crown is placed over the tooth to restore function.

Road to Recovery: After the Root Canal Treatment Procedure

Once the root canal treatment is completed, you may feel numb for a few hours if you were previously given local anesthesia. You can immediately return to work after the treatment. Avoid chewing from the side the tooth has been treated for the day. You can chew from the next day onwards.

Home care like regular brushing, flossing, and mouth rinse should be carried out to ensure good oral hygiene. A properly done root canal treatment can last a lifetime under good oral health conditions. Go for oral prophylaxis at least twice a year. Quarterly or bi-annual dental checkup helps ensure your tooth and gums are in the best of health.

ProSmile Family Dental Care: Transforming Root Canal Treatment with Expertise and Care

We at ProSmile Family Dental offer you premium treatment and services in Modesto, CA. We follow the latest state-of-art procedures in root canal treatment in Modesto with technologically advanced tools and equipment in an ultra-modern setup. Our experienced staff makes your treatment a fun, educative, and relaxing session for you. We offer comprehensive root canal treatment at a very affordable price. Book your appointment today to get a customized solution for your dental worries.