Dr. Rajeev Gadgil's DENTAL Clinic

A. Root Canal Treatment?

Root Canal is a treatment performed to save badly decayed or infected teeth instead of extracting them. It is also known as Endodontic treatment. The root canal is the space within the root of the tooth that consists of the nerves and blood vessels (pulp tissue). In case of infection of pulpal tissue due to various reasons, infected pulp is removed from the pulp chamber along with another debris present within the root canal. Then the pulp space is filled with an inert material thereby sealing it. This procedure, in short, is known as root canal treatment. Afterwards, a crown or other restoration will be placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

 

B. Why would I need an endodontic (Root canal) procedure?

• Untreated Tooth decay: In a tooth with a deep cavity involving the Pulp (nerve structure).

• Severe Gum Disease: In conjunction with gum treatment, to save loose teeth that may have gotten infected.

• Injury/Trauma: This may lead to fracture and discoloration of the teeth.

• Severe Sensitivity: In cases of extreme pain on reacting to consumption of hot and cold beverages, which may also be seen in worn out teeth.

• Elective Root Canal: In conjunction with Smile Makeover, if the Position and angulations of the teeth is affecting the proposed Smile design.

 

C. What are the signs of needing endodontic (Root canal) treatment?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, swelling and drainage tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.

 

D. Endodontic Procedure

Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:

 

1.Examinations and x-rays of the tooth are taken, after which local anesthesia is administered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. An opening is made in the crown portion of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 3. After space is cleaned and shaped, the root canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually, a rubber-like material called "gutta-percha." The gutta-percha is sealed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. You must return to the clinic to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.

If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, a post may be placed inside the tooth. You can ask for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E. Can all teeth be treated endodontically?

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can't be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn't have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

 

F. Endodontic postoperative care

• Please do not eat until the numbness wears out in a few hours if the anesthesia was given.

• The temporary filling will set in an hour. Please be careful not to disturb the setting of the temporary restoration.

• Expect soreness around the tooth and gum for a few days.

• Take the prescribed medications by the clock to ensure their effectiveness.

• Please avoid using the root canal treated tooth for chewing hard food since doing so may cause discomfort or fracture. You may be careful eating with the tooth that received treatment until we complete the final restoration.

• Please refrain from applying unnecessary pressure or touch to the treated tooth with the tongue, finger or any object. This may cause prolonged sensitivity on the treated tooth.

• You may brush the treated tooth normally but should not floss if the temporary filling was placed in the space between teeth.

• Please call our clinic if you continue to experience the discomfort more than a few days after the treatment.

 

G. Care After the Final Visit of Root Canal Treatment

• Having the tooth restored wit the crown or final filling will extend the success of the root canal treatment that you received by preventing bacterial leakage and fracture. Failure to place the final restoration is the leading cause of the tooth loss after root canal treatment.

• After the final restoration is in place, you will need to take care of the tooth with thorough daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkup/cleaning.

• We provide a follow up visit to monitor the outcome of your root canal treatment in a year to check the healing.