Root canal treatment

Description

Root canal therapy is a treatment sequence for the infected pulp of a tooth which results in the elimination of infection and the protection of the decontaminated tooth from future microbial invasion. Root canals, and their associated pulp chamber, are the physical hollows within a tooth that are naturally inhabited by nerve tissue, blood vessels and other cellular entities. Together, these items constitute the dental pulp. Root canal therapy involves the removal of these structures, the subsequent shaping, cleaning, and decontamination of the hollows with small files and irrigating solutions, and the obturation (filling) of the decontaminated canals. Filling of the cleaned and decontaminated canals is done with an inert filling such as gutta-percha and typically a eugenol-based cement. Post root canal treatment, permanent filling is done on the remaining crown structure after which a crown is placed on the tooth to preserve its strength. Ideally, a standard root canal treatment takes 3 appointments followed by the crown procedure. But, in certain cases, it can be performed in a singe visit also. In case root canal infection is spread in to bone, the root canal cleaning and disinfection may take longer duration for the infection to heal. The first appointment of root canal needs Local anesthetic injection to be given for a painless treatment. Subsequent appointments do not need LA to be given.

Keywords

Filter tags