Root Canal

Total Health > Dental > Root Canal

Our wide range of services also include Root Canal Treatment. We recommend it when we and the patient want to save the tooth from extraction. This procedure is also called Endodontic Treatment and is carried out when the tooth decay reaches the pulp (innermost layer of the tooth) causing inflammation.

The root canal procedure involves:

  • Removal of inflamed or infected tooth material
  • Cleaning and disinfection
  • Filling and sealing with an inert material
  • Restoration and crown/cap
  • Multiple sittings since it’s a multi-step procedure

Preventive Care

Doctor Consultation

Day Care Procedures

Can an infected tooth heal itself?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. The truth is, the infection can spread to other areas of the jaw causing excruciating pain for which the patients will need medications or a root canal procedure.

Do root canals procedures hurt a lot?

No, it’s a painless procedure. Because we use local anaesthesia to numb the infected area before proceeding with the procedure.

How long does it take to heal?

The treated tooth takes only a few days to heal. Patients may experience some pain once the anaesthesia wears off but medication helps diminish the pain till it disappears altogether.  

Can one get a root canal procedure done in a day?

A skilled dentist can successfully finish the procedure in just one day but in serious infected cases like a back tooth infection, a dentist may require 2/3 sittings to finish the treatment.  

When does one need to undergo a root canal treatment?

We recommend a root canal treatment when the patient’s tooth is damaged or infected.

A cracked or broken tooth, deep decay, gum diseases or repeated dental treatment on a particular tooth are the usual causes of infection.

The benefits of a root canal treatment are as follows:  

  • It stops the infection from spreading and will then save the tooth from extraction
  • It relieves the pain caused due to inflammation

What are the most common symptoms?

 

A toothache ranging from mild to severe is the first red flag signalling that a root canal could be necessary. With time it may worsen, and the patient will experience pain when they bite their food.

The second giveaway is the sign of prolonged sensitivity. If hot or cold drinks and foods are causing sensations in the tooth, maybe it’s time for a root canal. The third symptom could be a swelling in the gums. It’s best to visit a good dentist to get their opinion on all these symptoms.  

What is the procedure for root canal treatment?

The step-by-step process is as follows:

Step 1:

An X-ray is taken to determine the extent and approach to infection. If required, local anaesthesia is administered before starting the treatment.

Step 2:

This involves Cavity Preparation. A cavity is prepared, making sure all the infected tooth material or previous filling material is removed and a proper approach to the inner part of the tooth (pulp) is established.

Step 3:

This is followed by disinfection and shaping of pulp canals. The infected pulp is cleared out completely, canals are shaped and cleaned till a thorough disinfection is achieved.

Step 4:

Clean and disinfected canals are then sealed and filled with an inert rubber-like filling material known as Gutta-Percha.

Step 5:

The very last step is restoration and crown. The crown portion of the tooth cavity is then restored with a filling, followed by a cap/crown cementation.

What is the post-treatment care for a root canal treatment?

We have a list of do’s and don’ts as explained below:

Do’s:

  • Get a dental crown as soon as possible as this will protect your tooth from further damage.
  • Visit the dentist if any complexities or severe pain arises.

Don’ts:

  • Do not put pressure on the tooth. Since there is no crown, the tooth is unprotected. Which means, putting pressure can cause damage to the tooth.
  • Don’t munch on hard and crunchy food. Chew soft food until final restoration.
  • Don’t brush too hard. Be gentle and careful.

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