Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment/ Endodontics
Root canal treatment is done when the infection/ decay spreads to the nerve in the tooth causing pain and sometimes abscess/pus.
It is the most preferred treatment to retain natural tooth
Signs and symptoms showing root canal therapy
- Deep cavities
- Sudden intense pain in the tooth
- Tooth pain that increases while you lie down and reduces once you sit up
- Pain while chewing
- Continuous pain on consuming hot/ cold foods
- Prominent swelling around tooth
- Teeth that are severely worn out and sensitive
- Trauma ( accident ) resulting in discoloration of tooth
Procedure
- Is painless as it is done under local anesthesia
- Can be single or multiple visit
- Decay is removed, canals in the tooth are cleaned and the space is filled with inert material. Tooth is sealed with temporary filling
After procedure
- Avoid chewing and eating until numbness is gone.
- You may have some discomfort or soreness for a day or two
- Antibiotics and pain killers help in recovery
- After a week, permanent filling and crown is necessary.
What is post & core?
Sometimes tooth structure is not sufficient to hold the crown.
Extra support is needed in such cases. A material called post (metal or fiber) is inserted in one of the root canal. Core build up is done around the post thus increasing height and bulk of the tooth giving sufficient tooth structure for crown.