A Comprehensive Guide to Root Canal Treatment!

Root Canal is a tooth treatment which is important for the elimination of infection and protection of the tooth from further microbial invasion. The whole scenario of a root canal procedure starts with simple tooth decay which results in formation of what is known as Dental Caries. Caries results in formation of a cavity on the tooth surface which is inhabited by bacteria and various other microorganisms. If left untreated, these cavitations acting as a breeding ground for bacteria further make their way down the various layers of tooth, namely, Dentin, Pulp, Root and finally the Bone. It is then that the patient starts experiencing the symptoms.
The symptoms which indicate that the tooth will go in for a Root Canal procedure include- severe and constant toothache which increases when one lies down and decreases on getting up, sensitivity to hot and cold beverages which is also experienced on intake of sweets, pain in the head and ear region, and the discoloration of the affected tooth and swelling around the affected tooth. The infection, if not treated in a timely manner, travels down to the jaw bone which results in painful swellings of the bone and soft tissues. These swellings can even spread to the surrounding areas like neck and can cause a medical emergency.
Root Canal is a space in the root of the tooth which is dwelled by nerve tissues, blood vessels and other cellular entities. A Root canal treatment involves removal of these structures which are now infected to render the tooth clean, disinfected and painless.
The mere mention of a Root Canal procedure gives jitters to many patients. In reality, it is not as eerie as it sounds; rather it acts as an instant pain reliever for patients who come with excruciating pain in the dental office.

Before beginning the Root Canal treatment, the dental professional will anesthetize the area around the affected tooth. In many cases, anesthetizing or numbing is not required as the tooth is already dead but it may be needed in a good number of cases as well. Moreover, it often relaxes the patient who fears the Root canal pain. Root Canal pain can however be controlled by prescribing analgesics throughout the treatment. The dentist will then make a hole (access cavity) on the top of the tooth (occlusal surface) in case of posterior teeth or at the back of the tooth (palatal surface for upper teeth and lingual surface for lower teeth) while treating anterior teeth.
During the Root Canal procedure, the dentist takes several X- rays of the tooth being treated to get an idea of the length of the root canal so as to make certain that the entire length of the canal is being cleaned. Some dental professionals also make use of Apex Locators which are a part of the modern technology. Over a period of approximately three to four sittings the Root canals are cleaned with the help of special tools known as files and reamers. A disinfecting solution is made use of to clean the canals off the debris. The most popularly used disinfecting solution is Sodium Hypochlorite. Once the canals are free of microbial debris, they are filled with an inert filling material known as Gutta Percha which is a rubber extract. The purpose of root canal filling is to obdurate and eliminate all portals of entry for the micro- organisms. Better the filling, better will be the prognosis of the root canal treatment.
When a tooth undergoes Root canal treatment, it gets de vitalized. Consequently, the tooth becomes brittle and weak as compared to a natural tooth. Hence, in almost every root canal case, the treated tooth needs what is known as a Dental Crown. A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that encircles or covers the tooth and helps to regain the health of the tooth by strengthening it.
Many a time, patients prefer extraction over a root canal procedure. Except for the multiple visits to the dental office, another possible reason that stops the patients from opting for the procedure is the root canal cost. The cost of the treatment is generally related to the chair side time needed to do the procedure and also on the technology the dentist uses for the Root canal procedure. There can however be a difference in the root canal cost charged by different dentists. Root canal cost also escalates with the use of recent advancements in dentistry which make the procedure not only painless but also complete it in minimum appointments (Single Sitting Root canal treatment)
A rational dental professional will make a treatment decision keeping in mind only the well being of the patient and not the cost. Well trained professionals carry out root canal treatment in time saving and cost effective manner.