Root Canal Treatment
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT (RCT)
Root Canal Treatment is done to save the tooth physically. When a root is beyond repair or infected, the infected pulp is removed from the tooth to treat damage and prevent the decay from spreading to other teeth. After the tooth is removed the inside of the tooth is thoroughly disinfected, cleaned & sealed with a special material. Finally, a crown is applied to the tooth to restore its structure. The entire process is performed under anesthesia.
When you need RCT?
- Severe toothache pain upon chewing or upon application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
- Persistent or recurring boil on the gums
How long does a Root Canal treated tooth last?
- Root Canal saves the natural tooth structure
- Tooth is retained along with surrounding bone & tissue
- Improvement in basic functioning like chewing, biting & speech
- Relief from pain and inflammation
- Retention of natural smile and facial profile
Can every tooth be saved by RCT?
Is RCT painful?
No. The treatment actually removes pain. With modern anesthesia techniques, root canal treatments have become very comfortable over the past few years.
Why do I need Root Canal if my tooth is not hurting?
Patients initially experience pain, which goes away after taking painkillers and antibiotics, while the tooth still remains infected. This infection keeps on causing bone loss. RCT helps to disinfect the tooth and stops the spread of infection. Many times a chronic infection occurs and the need for treatment is diagnosed through routine clinical examination and x-rays.
Is there any alternative to RCT?
Removal of the tooth (extraction) is the only alternative available. But it is always better if the tooth can be saved because removing a tooth can cause several other problems like teeth shifting, bone loss, difficulty in eating and aesthetic issues. Replacing a lost tooth with bridges or implants is a much more time consuming and cost intensive procedure than root canal therapy. Also, no matter how effective modern tooth replacements are, nothing can be as effective as a natural tooth.