Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal Treatment(RCT)

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form

It is a procedure where a badly decayed or fractured or dead tooth is saved by removing its soft part (pulp) from the crown & the root of the tooth. Pulp is located in the core of the crown & root of the tooth. It is like mummifying a dead tooth to preserve it.

Root canal treatment or endodontic treatment is necessary when the centre part within the tooth, known as the pulp, housing the blood vessels, nerves and living connective tissues, become infected or inflamed.

The root canal procedure is performed to save a damaged or badly infected tooth, instead of extracting it. This procedure is performed by an endodontist or a root canal specialist.

The most common causes of tooth damage or infection are, cavities occurring due to plaque accumulation, cracked or broken tooth due to any accidents or trauma, gum diseases, and repeated dental treatment to a particular tooth. These issues can cause pulp inflammation, infection and damage the pulp irreversibly. The person will at times experience excruciating pain. The pain may subside when the pulp dies, but very often returns as the infection

WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS OF RCT?

  • Decayed tooth
  • Painful tooth
  • Non-vital or dead tooth
  • Trauma exposing the pulp
  • Grossly attrided tooth
  • Intentional RCT

 

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF RCT OVER OTHER TREATMENT PROCEDURES?

 

  • In case of deeply carious tooth the only treatment options are removal of tooth or the root canal treatment (RCT). However root canal treatment (RCT) is very conservative procedure which saves the natural tooth.
  • Subsequently root canal treatment (RCT) prevents the bone loss and maintains the stability of the adjacent tooth.
  • Most of the time the pain is related to the pulp tissue only and the procedure is more or less painless.
  • As compared to other teeth replacement procedures after extraction, saving the natural tooth by root canal treatment (RCT) is quite cost effective & better option.