Root Canal Treatments (Endodontic Treatments)

Natural teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, when the dental pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fractures (trauma) that allow bacteria to seep into the pulp chamber, the tooth enters a serious risk off being lost. Damaged or dead pulp have an increased blood flow and cellular activity resulting in the common symptom of PAIN on the tooth when biting or when applying hot or cold foods and drinks. Affected teeth can be saved through a specialized dental procedure known as endodontic treatment. Although this technique, popularly called root canal therapy, has been around for several decades, recent advances in the field of endodontics have made root canal therapy almost a routine procedure.

Endodontic Treatment

What does endodontic treatment involve?

Treatment usually requires from one to three appointments. During these treatments, your dentist removes the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and root canals of the tooth are then cleaned, shaped, filled and sealed to prevent recontamination of the root canal system.

 What Happens During Treatment?

Step 1 : Relief of Pain Removal of the infected/damaged pulp from the inside of the tooth. Measurements of the lengths of the root canals.

Step 2 : The root canals are cleaned, shaped and sterilized to a form that can be completely sealed.

Step 3 : The final stage is to seal the canals with a filling material to prevent further infection.

This treatment can take one or a number of visits, depending on the state of the tooth and the severity of the infection. Sedative dressings and temporary fillings may be placed inside your tooth between visits in order to settle the surrounding tissues and destroy any remaining bacteria.

Is there an alternative to RCT?

No, the only alternative method of removing the infection is to extract the tooth. Loss of a tooth can lead to many other complex problems in the region, which should be avoided, for example:

If a back tooth is lost and not replaced, the following problems can occur:

There is no real substitute for your own tooth.

Will there be any pain?

RCT is a comfortable procedure and it involves no pain since the tooth will be anaesthetized during treatment.

Success of Treatment

Studies indicate that about 95% of cases heal successfully and uneventfully. However, because people have varied healing responses and some infections respond differently no guarantee can be given.

We inform patients in advance if their tooth is considered less favorable and only treat teeth if there is a very good chance of it lasting a long time.

After Treatment

The final restoration of a root canal treated tooth is just as important as the root canal treatment itself to ensure long term success. The tooth needs to be restored to its original shape, and strength as soon as possible and this may involve the placement of a post and crown to achieve this.

The type of material used for the crown will depend on where the tooth is located in your mouth, the color of the tooth, and the amount of natural tooth remaining. A front tooth that affects appearance, for instance, most likely will be restored with a porcelain or a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. When a back tooth has been badly fractured or decayed, a gold or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown may be used. Your dentist will discuss these options with you.

Why couldn't you just remove the tooth?

The choice is yours, but there are many disadvantages to losing a tooth. When a tooth is removed and not replaced, the teeth next to the empty space begin to shift from their normal position. This may cause teeth to become crooked or crowded, which decreases chewing and biting efficiency. Crowded or crooked teeth may be more prone to dental disease because they are harder to keep clean than properly aligned teeth. As a result, other teeth may be lost if the missing tooth is not replaced.

A replacement tooth (an implant or a bridge) is usually more expensive than endodontic treatment and involves more extensive dental procedures on adjacent teeth.

Endodontic treatment can safely and comfortably save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed. In fact, root canal therapy is successful approximately 95% of the time. Remember, a healthy restored tooth is always better than an artificial one.

How long will the restored tooth last?

Your endodontically treated and restored tooth could last a lifetime, if you continue to care for your teeth and gums. As long as the root(s) of an endodontically treated tooth are properly nourished by the surrounding tissues, your tooth will remain healthy.

In order to maintain healthy tissues and prevent future dental disease, you should:

These measures will help you keep your natural teeth and enjoy good dental health for a lifetime.