ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canal treatment is a safe procedure done effectively to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected in order to prolong the life of a tooth by many years.
Root canal treatment at BDC is carried out using one of the latest innovative systems called Protaper, giving predictably good results and also reducing the time that a patient has to spend at the dentist.

Once the infection or trauma reaches the pulp you may experience following symptoms:

• Increased sensitivity to hot and cold drinks and foods
• Tooth pain when biting or chewing
• A tenderness on pressing the gums above a tooth
• Gum swelling surrounding the affected tooth
• Loosening of the tooth in its socket
• Pus accumulation around the affected tooth area
• Facial swelling
• Constant toothache
• Bad taste and smell in the mouth
• Change in color of tooth

The presence of the above symptoms warrants a consultation with your dentist in a timely manner. Sometimes, root canal decay will not present with any symptoms. In such cases, special tests or x-rays carried out by your dentist during a routine dental check-up will identify the problem at hand.

In the Tooth, the pulp is the living tissue with blood supply and nerve supply. Once the dental caries involves the pulp, it gets infected and when the diseased pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. The infection can spread to cause jaw bone degeneration. Without root canal treatment, your tooth may have to be removed. Maintaining the natural teeth is the ultimate goal of RCT at BDC.

Root canal treatment involves one or possibly two visits for our dentist to treat the decayed tooth depending on the severity of the damage and the presence of infection.

1. During the first visit our dentist will take x-rays to determine the root canal’s shape and search for possible infection.


2. Then the area is anesthetized for the patient’s comfort and ease.


3. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber with a dental hand piece. The diseased root canal, along with bacteria, pus and debris are removed.


4. At Bharath dental clinic we use modern flexible titanium rotary files to ensure that the canals are shaped efficiently. We only use our files once, in order to minimize fracture and reduce risk of cross infection.


5. We use high tech apex locators to establish the length of canals and to reduce the radiographic dose. We thoroughly clean the canals with powerful disinfectants to destroy the bacteria colonies within the tooth.


6. If there was no infection, and no other restorative treatment is needed, the tooth will be sealed with gutta percha root canal filling material to prevent re-infection of the tooth, that same day and the root canal will be complete. However, if there is evidence of infection, the dentist may apply medication and a temporary seal or filling until the infection is healed. Once healed, the tooth can be permanently sealed and filled.


7. Further treatment, such as a crown, may be necessary to fully restore the functionality and aesthetics of the tooth.

Our dentists are highly experienced and have carried out hundreds of root canal treatments. Our practice is open 7 days a week with quick appointments available.

After the procedure, many people are back to work the next day. You should feel relief from the pain, although some sensitivity may remain while the tooth heals. This is due to inflammation of tissue and is a normal part of the healing process. If this occurs you can use over the counter medication prescribed by the BDC office to reduce the soreness.

Success rates for root canal treatment are high. About 90 to 95 percent of patients who undergo root canal treatment can expect a functional tooth after the procedure. The treated tooth should last a life-time, provided that good oral hygiene is maintained.

Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain — it relieves it!

Before starting the treatment your dentist will imperceptibly and very slowly numb the area. Once this is done generally no pain is perceivable. In case of highly inflamed tissue, anesthesia may take longer time to act.

While opening up the tooth, a handpiece/drill is used, this generates vibrations. The level of vibration/pressure sensations is similar to that for a regular filling which may be an unwelcome sensation but is not at all painful.

For the first few days following the completion of a root canal, the tooth may feel sensitive due to natural tissue inflammation, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This sensitivity or discomfort usually can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications prescribed by BDC office. As with any dental procedure or treatment, the first instruction for aftercare is brushing and flossing regularly. Root canals have a high success rate and the repaired tooth can last a lifetime if properly cared. Regular oral hygiene and visits to your dentist can improve your chances of success.