Root canal is a dental procedure which helps in removing the entire internal parts, mainly pulp chamber of the tooth. It also involves the filling of the prepared empty cavity with a suitable bio-compatible material. This procedure is done and advised only when the tooth cannot compensate restoring material in a small cavity on the surface. The procedure involves the removal of the nervous elements of the tooth which have been infected or decayed already due to microbial action or any physical pressures

How is a root canal treatment done?

1. First, we diagnose a patient with Dental XRAY and advices for the treatment if the tooth’s root canal is decayed.
2. The tooth area is isolated with the help of rubber dam kit. This isolation helps in ease of operation for the dentist and prevents the entry of mixing of fluids from the motor and the saliva in the mouth.
3. We would then prepare a cavity by the help of an aerotor which is done with proper outline and depth into the root. Then the root canal files are used to entirely clean the root with the help of endomotor ( ENDOMATE DT-NSK )
4. After this cavity is sealed with a soothing medicine with a temporary filling material for 3 days or until the next seating is called for the completion of the procedure.
5. The use of soothing medicine is that it prevents the spread of further infection
6. The final stage includes the filling of the canal with some plastic material called Gutta Percha which are bio-compatible, and after the canal is filled, a suitable and aesthetic regular cement filling is done over it, which can be accompanied with crown placement sometimes.

When is RCT Indicated?

           – Cavity in the tooth that grows deeper and touches the nerve

            – Accidental cracks or infection from gums reaching to the base of the roots

            – Nerve of the tooth gets damaged due to many reasons.

            – Discoloration of teeth (Non-vital tooth)

Important points before going for a root canal treatment

1. Patients’ fear of root canal – It was believed to be one of the most painful procedures in dentistry and every patient who was advised to have root canal done used to fear to go to the dentist. But this is not a problem now, as good anaesthetics are available which serve completely pain free procedure.
2. It is not time consuming – Earlier it used to take many visits for the completion of the root canal Now because of advance in instrument it takes not more than 2 visits for the completion of the entire procedure.
3. Pain is not the only symptom – Root canal should be done to prevent the infection. in condition of non-vital or discoloured teeth, pain is not there but R.C.T. is recommended to prevent the infection
4. Better than extraction –Because of intolerable tooth pain, people used to believe in the fact that getting the tooth removed completely would be better than having root canal done. But maintaining the natural tooth for long can be helpful in proper chewing and strengthening of the tooth. Remember Original is original and artificial is artificial.
5. Cost of treatment – Also the cost for extraction is followed by its next procedure like removable denture ,Fixed tooth or implant, which costs more than a root canal procedure.

Lost tooth will never come again and artificial tooth will work like original tooth but ORIGINAL TOOTH IS ORIGINAL TOOTH, so our first concern is always trying to save your original tooth.