WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND COST OF A ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

root canal treatment

All of us have heard of root canal treatment, and many of us have even undergone one. Also referred to as an endodontic therapy, this procedure involves removing the bacteria infecting the pulp or the nerve chamber of the infected tooth.

A tooth consists of a white outermost layer called the enamel, a hard inner layer called the dentin and an innermost soft tissue known as the pulp. The pulp contains the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. The pulp extends to the tip of the roots of the tooth where it joins the tissues surrounding the tooth and is instrumental in the growth and development of the tooth.

Why is Root Canal Treatment necessary?

The various conditions which warrant this treatment are:

  • Inflammation or infection of the pulp
  • An intermittent toothache which can range from mild to severe
  • Sensitivity to heat and/or cold
  • Swelling in the gum and bone in the jaw area
  • Pain in the tooth and/or while opening the mouth
  • Discolouration of the tooth
  • Tenderness in the lymph nodes and the gum and bone tissues
  • Fever
  • Foul taste in the mouth and bad breath

How is it performed?

RCT is a simple procedure performed by qualified dentists or endodontists in their clinics or a hospital. Manipal Hospital is one such super-speciality hospital which is known for its root canal treatment in Jayanagar, thanks to its skilled and experienced team in the Department of Dentistry, and the latest facilities it possesses to perform all types of dental operations ranging from the simple to the most complex.

The steps involved are:

  • A local anaesthetic is applied to render the tooth and the immediate surrounding tissue numb.
  • The dentist then makes an opening at the top part of the tooth and cleans the interior of the canal using root canal files.
  • A cleaning solution is used to flush out all the bacteria and thoroughly clean the tooth.
  • The filling is done by inserting an artificial material in the space occupied by the root canal.
  • A crown, usually made of a material called zirconia, is placed after the filling is done to make the tooth functional.

A root canal treatment cost ranges from about Rs. 2500-4000 per tooth and typically involves 2-3 sittings. The cost depends on the complexity of the problem. Generally, this treatment is cheaper than that of removal or extraction.

Advantages of Root Canal Treatment

If properly done by trained medical professionals, RCT is an immensely beneficial procedure which can prevent further complications. Manipal Hospital is well-equipped to perform this procedure and alternative processes as well and is, in fact, one of the most preferred centres for alternative methods like laser teeth whitening in Jayanagar.

 Some of the advantages are: 

  •  It relieves the painful sensation.
  • It stops further complications such as abscess formation and spread of infection to other teeth.
  • It saves the tooth since it doesn’t involve removal or extraction.
  •   It is aesthetically preferred to any type of replacement
  • It results in more efficient chewing action.

It’s All About Swine Flu!

Way back in 2009, a hitherto unknown medical complication came into limelight which took the world by storm. It would later become infamously known as the Swine Flu, or the H1N1 virus. Initially declared as a pandemic by the WHO due to its highly contagious nature, it was later labelled as a regular human flu virus, though it still poses a serious threat. It is therefore prudent to be well aware of this disease and take adequate precautions to safeguard oneself from its harmful effects.

Manipal Hospitals Has One of the Finest Diagnostic Center in India

First, what exactly is this condition and is H1N1 the same as swine flu?  It is a respiratory infection caused by any one of the several types of influenza virus that affects the respiratory tracts of pigs, resulting in nasal secretions, barking cough, decreased appetite and listless behaviour. It can be transmitted to humans and results in similar symptoms, in addition to fever, headaches, nausea and lethargic behaviour. Initially, it was thought to have originated and spread from pigs to humans, but was later discovered to be able to spread from one human to another. The 2009 swine flu strain, first seen in Mexico, was named H1N1 as it was mainly found infecting humans and exhibiting two main surface antigens; H1 (hemagglutinin type 1) and  N1 (neuraminidase type 1).

Causes of Swine Flu

H1N1 influenza is transmitted from person to person by ingestion or coming into contact with the fine droplets containing the virus from people sneezing or coughing. The incubation period usually ranges from one to four days and can sometimes even extend to as long as seven days. It is contagious about one day before the symptoms develop to five to seven days after the symptoms develop and the disease itself lasts for about three to seven days. The symptoms and effects of swine flu virus are similar to that of a seasonal flu, and a lab test is the only way to be sure about the presence of the H1N1 strain.

How can we detect Swine Flu?

In case a person displays the symptoms associated with H1N1, it is important to visit a doctor immediately for a medical diagnosis to confirm this condition. Diagnosis is done by taking a sample of our body fluid by swabbing the nose or the throat. This sample is then analysed in the laboratory to determine the specific type of virus. Some common symptoms of this disease are:

  1. Sudden onset of fever above 100F
  2. Body ache
  3. Nausea and tiredness
  4. Sore throat
  5. Loss of appetite
  6. Diarrhoea
  7. Chest congestion
  8. Vomiting
  9. Cough and sneezing

Feeling the above-listed symptoms then get Yourself diagnosed at Manipal Hospital Jayanagar.

Is Swine Flu curable?

The most effective way to combat this disease is to prevent its occurrence and spread in the first place. This can be done by maintaining adequate levels of hygiene by using disinfectants and controlling the ambient temperature to restrict the growth of the virus among pigs. To prevent the transmission of virus from swine to humans, the infected animals must be immediately separated from the rest of the herd, and the use of gloves and face masks is recommended. The spread of virus among humans can be prevented by using standard infection control methods, such as frequent washing of hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers. Also, one must avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth with one’s hands.  Vaccination is also an effective way to combat this disease. Two antiviral agents, zanamivir (Tamiflu) have been reported to help prevent or reduce the effects of swine flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

There are certain home remedies for combating this disease. These include:

      • Getting plenty of rest to strengthen the immune system
      • Drinking sufficient amount of water to prevent dehydration and replenish the body of lost nutrients
      • Over-the-counter pain medications for symptoms such as headache and sore throat.

Bottom-line is that the golden words “Prevention is better than cure” holds true in case of swine flu virus and taking simple measures such as maintaining hygiene can be effective in preventing  the growth and spread of the virus.

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