What is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is a common procedure to relieve dental pain and save your teeth. Patients typically need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth. During root canal treatment, an endodontist who specializes in such treatment carefully removes the pulp inside the tooth, cleans, disinfects and shapes the root canals, and places a filling to seal the space.

How painful is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is absolutely painless, the tooth will be numbed by giving local anaesthesia, therefore procedure is painless. If your tooth is infected or having periapical infection and you have pain before the procedure itself, pain maybe expected. The dentist will prescribe medications for pain relief.

How is a root canal performed, what are the steps involved in a RCT?

Root canal treatment can often be performed in single our couple of visits and involves the following steps:

1. The dentist checks and x-rays the tooth, then injects a local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the dentist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” to isolate the tooth and keep it clean during the procedure.
2. The dentist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Using very small instruments the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned and the space is shaped for filling.
3. After the space is cleaned and shaped, the dentist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha with an adhesive cement to completely seal the root canals. Usually, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening.
4. After the final sitting, your dentist places a crown on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. In case the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, the dentist may place a post inside the tooth.

What are the benefits of having a root canal as opposed to a simple extraction?

A root canal treatment aims to save the damaged tooth while an extraction removes it completely. While having the tooth extracted may seem like the simpler choice, it can actually lead to complications in the long run. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth to it may shift their places to fill the newly-empty spot. If the surrounding teeth shift, it may lead to crooked teeth or a bad bite, and it can increase the patient's risk of developing problems in the temporomandibular joint, which can lead to difficulty in biting and chewing. Teeth that have shifted from their original positions may become loose more easily, and they tend to be more susceptible to dental problems.

What is the cost of root canal treatment in India?

Cost of root canal treatment in India will range from Rs 3500 to Rs.6000. It varies depending on the complexity of the case and number of sittings required.

Are root canals linked to cancer?

The idea that root canals causing cancer is scientifically incorrect. People who undergo root canal therapy are no more or less to become ill than any other person. There is virtually no evidence connecting root canal treatment and other diseases.

Why are root canals performed?

Root Canal treatment or RCT is necessary when the pulp or the soft tissue inside the root canal, gets inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes like deep decay or a crack or chip in the tooth.

How successful are Root Canals Treatment?

Overall, root canal treatment is very successful and there are many factors that can determine the success of the Root Canal treatment.

• Diagnosis – The state of the pulp prior to doing Root Canal treatment.
• Anatomy of the Canal system – The more complex the system the more difficult the Root Canal Treatment.
• Proper timely restoration – any leakage into the canal after Root Canal treatment can reduce the success of the treatment.
• Oral hygiene and maintenance after treatment
• Condition of other teeth – parafunction, malocclusion, misalignment, etc

Why are dental crowns recommended after a root canal?

Crowns restore strength to the tooth that would be too weak to function on its own and to protect the tooth from abrasion, injury and stress.

Do I really need root canal treatment?

If you have toothache, broken, fractured tooth or infected tooth you will need a root canal treatment. A definite diagnosis can be given by dentist on clinical examination or on a radiograph.

Why a root canal is considered oral surgery?

Root canal therapy is not a oral surgery. In an oral surgery an incision is made on the gum to give access to the underlying tissues, and sometimes a bit of bone should be removed too. In root canal treatment we only drill the tooth; the soft tissues such as gums and bone are left untouched.

Why are root canals still performed instead of implanting new teeth?

Root canal treatment preserves the natural teeth and the surrounding gums and bone. It also has lesser percentage of failure when compared to dental implant.

What type of dentist performs root canals?

Root canal therapy can be provided by an endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who has specialized training to perform root canals. Your dentist is best person to advise you as to who should perform the procedure. Many dentists provide root canal treatment in their office and refer complicated cases to endodontists.

Does having a root canal pose health risks?

Not only are root canal treatment is effective, they also eliminate bacteria from the infected roots of teeth, thereby improving both your oral health and your overall health.

Which is the better option between a root canal treatment and a dental implant?

When a tooth can be saved, it is always better to save the tooth. Root canal also costs less compared to a dental implant, and is a less invasive procedure.

Can we go for a root canal with high diabetes?

Yes, root canal treatment can be done in diabetic patients, though precautions are necessary. Do your best to get your blood sugar levels under control, take the prescribed medications and ensure patient has eaten normally before the procedure.

I have a dental abscess. Which treatment is better: a root canal or tooth extraction?

Root canal treatment is the first option, if it is possible to save the tooth. Only when it is not possible to save the tooth, then extraction is recommended.

Is it true that the BDS doctors can't do root canal?

No, any BDS doctor can also perform root canal treatment. An endodontist is a dental surgeon who has specialized in root canal therapy.

Is it ok to delay root canal treatment?

It's difficult to estimate how long one can go without a root canal without examining your tooth. If the pain is severe, you need to do RCT right away. If your tooth hurts a little or hurt recently and the pain went away you still need to have the root canal, as soon as you can schedule it. Pain, past or present indicates an active infection and when it comes to your teeth, the sooner you deal with it, the better.