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.
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