What Is Root Canal Treatment
By: JenniferTotal Views: 326, Word Count: 572,
Root canal treatment is the process of treating a badly damaged tooth instead of removing it entirely. Earlier root canal treatments were quite painful, but with the advancement of medical science, root canal treatment has become less painful for people undergoing the operation. Infact, extraction or removal of tooth are more costly than root canal treatment. Tooth canal treatment is required when the soft pulp of the tooth under the hard enamel gets infected or demanded due to any disease or wound. With the help of the root canal treatment, dentists remove the pulp instead of the entire tooth.
Before carrying out a root canal treatment process, examination of the tooth is done including radiography. Sometimes local anesthesia is done if the procedure involves pain for any concerned patient. The following are the steps that are carried out while executing a root canal treatment.
- At first, an opening is done on top or crown of the tooth.
- The pulp occupying the pulp chamber and the root canal is then removed. The inside is then carefully cleaned with file or small instruments. Filing is done to seal the tooth and to ensure that the tooth is again well shaped.
- The empty root canal is filled up with a material that keeps away bacteria from entering the inside of the tooth.
- At first the crown is sealed with a temporary filing. Within few days of the operation, the temporary filing of the crown is replaced by the permanent filing.
- In the post root canal treatment period, the patient has to visit the physician for regular check ups in order to keep a track on the healing process.
Often it happens that your tooth gets affected by some infection which does not involve any pain. In such cases you may notice that your tooth has turned dark which indicate that the root of the tooth is dead. The following are the symptoms of damaged tooth that is in requirement of a root canal treatment.
- If you find that your tooth is aching while chewing or on simply moving it.
- If you sense any irritation due to the exposure of your tooth to heat.
- If your tooth is too much sensitive to cold.
- If the gum around affected tooth swells up.
- When the tooth becomes discolored.
- If the tooth gets worn out.
In order to determine whether the tooth requires a root canal treatment, dentists often use an electric pulp tester. An electric current is passed through the tooth to find out whether root pulp is alive. Patients with pacemakers or any other electronic device installed are advised not to use the electric pulp tester.
About the Author
Jennifer Pitt is a renowned dentist based in New York, USA. She has been private practicing for several years and is regarded to be a dentist of good repute.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote