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Root canal
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What is Root Canal Treatment? |
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Root canal involves the complete removal of infected tissue from the pulp chamber
and the root canals, filling the space with inert material. So that you can avoid
needless extraction and other complications.
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Who Needs a Root Canal Treatment
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Injury to
root or tooth pulp
Fracture in tooth
Severe tooth decay
Badly infected teeth
Preparatory to other procedure
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Injury to Root or Tooth Pulp |
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Fracture in Tooth |
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Severe Tooth Decay |
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Badly Infected Teeth |
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What Happens if Left Untreated? |
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If decayed tooth is left untreated the pulp gets infected and since it is an enclosed
chamber it leads to increase in pressure, causes pain and if at this stage it is
not removed, it further penetrates into surrounding bone. Patient gets severe pain,
causes development of abscesses and sudden swelling in neck and face. |
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How Many Visits? |
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Root canal treatment can take anything from one visit to three. |
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Treatment Procedure
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Examination of mouth is carried out.
X-rays to find out extent of decay.
If require Local Anesthesia may be given,
An opening is made in the crown to reach the pulp.
Removal of infected pulp and toxins from canal
Shaping and filing of canal is done to widen the canal
Medication of pulp chamber is done to take care of infection.
In case of infection, medication will be prescribed Antibiotics and painkiller
Filling rubber cones and paste in to canal is carried out
A temporary filling is done
A permanent filling is done |
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Crown is made in order to protect and to reestablish original form and function.
If the tooth is badly damaged a metal post may be inserted to reinforce the tooth
before preparing it for the crown. |
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An opening is made in the crown to reach the pulp. |
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Removal of infected pulp and toxins from canal |
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Shaping and filing of canal is done to widen the canal |
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Medication of pulp chamber is done to take care of infection. |
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Filling rubber cones and paste in to canal is carried out |
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A permanent filling is done |
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Crown is made |
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What Happens after Treatment? |
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Mild discomforts for painkillers can control few days, avoid chewing hard things
from treated side and you can brush and floss regularly. |
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Advantages |
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The root canal is an internationally accepted and recommended treatment procedure
for infected teeth. What once used to be a complex surgical procedure is nothing
but a minor task for today’s dentis
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A simple yet effective procedure
Preserving infected tooth
Involves local or no anesthesia
Eliminating needless extraction
More than 95 percent success rate |
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Disadvantages |
Despite the best efforts the best root canal therapies fail all together. But these
problems are quite rare. It is usually associated with following conditions. It
is marked by return of pain.
Accessory root canals
Badly curved roots
Very narrow canals |
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Life of the Tooth |
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Your restored tooth can last a lifetime if you continue to care for your teeth and
gums. As long as the tissues around it nourish the roots of a treated tooth your
tooth will remain |
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What if a Root Canals Therapy Fails? |
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If root canal therapy fails usually you need to carry out
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Apisectomy |
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Apisectomy is a procedure where end of the root is surgically removed. It is advised
when it is not possible to get good seal at the end of the root, in case of lesion
or cysts.
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Extraction |
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Extraction is advised when other procedure fails.
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Home Care |
Brush and floss teeth regularly.
Avoid chewing hard food from treated side till you receive a crown
Regular visit to the Dentist |
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Alternative |
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The only alternative is usually extraction
of tooth. Though an extraction is cheaper the space left behind will require an
implant or bridge which can be very expensive than root canal therapy. If this space
left unattended the adjacent teeth could move in to space and cause shift in whole
dentition - A major Problem.
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Summary and Conclusion |
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Remember your teeth are meant to last a lifetime and infected tooth can be saved
by root canal treatment. If you have the choice it is always best to keep your natural
tooth.
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