Definition: Root canal entails a process that is done for the purpose of saving the tooth that is in a been severe effect. It is a process that is carried out by a dentist in order to get rid of the dead tissues including the bacteria that have accumulated in the teeth.
Due to technology advancement, this process has to be a type of treatment that is comfortable. It mainly needs utmost two visits to the personal dentists.
Need for Root Canal Treatment
Root canal process is carried out in the presence of an infection that is located deep inside the tooth. There is a probability that a pulp located inside the tooth to get infected with the available bacteria due to the cavity that is severe and untreated. However, there is a probability of restoring the tooth either by filling or a crown following the treatment process. Lack of treatment will make the infection to grow and become more severe up to the extent where the tooth is required to be extracted. In case, there is a recommendation by the personal dentist to have treatment, below are the expectations of how the process is going to be conducted out.
How Root Canal Is Carried Out
The process of root canal takes place in four simple steps. The treatment process takes place in two visits made to the dentist’s office.
- The dentist does the administration of the local anesthesia by the use of a needle for the purpose of numbing effect of the tooth. Feeling a pinch in the place where the needle penetrates is a common thing. Following the numbing of the tooth, a small rubber sheet that is identified as the dental dam will be placed by the dentists to isolate the tooth. This is essential in keeping it clean and ensure that it remains dry while the process is taking place.
- By the use of small devices like the drill that is smaller in size, the hygienist is going to gain access of the area inside the tooth through the creation of a gap in the upper part of the tooth. The hygienist will move forward to clearing the infected and the damaged pulp by use of files that are of smaller size from the inside part of the tooth. Using this respective files, the shaping of the inner part of your root and the respective tooth will be performed by this dentist. He/she irrigates this chamber by use of water for the purpose of washing any available pulp. He/she may perform a further task towards putting a solution of antimicrobial in this place in order to eliminate all the available bacteria as one way of reducing the risk that may arise due to infection.
- Following the thorough cleaning and drying of the associated chamber, the hygienist will now fill it. The material applied for filling is normally a material that occurs in a form of a rubber known as gutta-percha. This is a temporary process of filling that will be conducted by the dentist while waiting for a crown that is permanent.
- After a period of 3 weeks, the dentists will finalize treatment process by fixing a crown that is permanent or restoring the same type on the upper part of the tooth. As per the natural health conditions of the tooth, the hygienist may decide to attach a post that is small in size so that it can offer support to the placed crown making it be more stable.
What Follows The Process Of Root Canal?
Ensuring that the teeth and the gums are in good following this type of treatment process is an essential activity. Arranging for some visits to the hygienist is a compulsory activity so that he/she will be observing the healing process. The visit can be at least two times in a year. Keeping a routine for oral care while at home is vital activity. This pertains the brushing of the teeth at least twice a day by using a toothpaste that is capable of fighting the expected germs for approximately 12hours. Giving the treated teeth the needed care and attention will make it remain healthy for the entire lifetime.
Care Following Root Canal
Giving your restored tooth the required care will make it stay for a lifetime. The rate of success for a root canal is very high. Below are the ways through which you can take good and required care of the tooth that has undergone treatment.
Practicing oral hygiene that is good. This entails the brushing of the teeth at least twice in each and every day in addition to performing floss approximately once in a day. A good care of the teeth is a guarantee towards preventing any future expected problems.
Paying a visit to the dentist regularly is another way of ensuring that your teeth are always maintained in a good care. The dentists or the hygienists will clean and examine the teeth.
Avoiding chewing on foods that are hard is another way of ensuring that your teeth are kept in a good care. Chewing foods that are hard like ice is likely to cause brokerage of the teeth and even harming the root canals.
Other Alternatives To Root Canal
The most common alternative to a root canal is extraction. This entails extracting the tooth that is offended and then replacing it with a bridge.
Another alternative is the natural remedies. This involves eating proteins that are of high quality and avoiding the grain products and even eliminating the sugar that is processed from the diet.
Ozone gas is can be used in irrigating the root cavity. This gas is capable of penetrating into the tooth tubules where it destroys the available bacteria enabling the dentist to avert the need of carrying out a root canal.
Finally, calcium hydroxide is another alternative to a root canal. Calcium hydroxide is capable of deterring the growth of bacteria in the canals of the tooth. Through the fact that calcium hydroxide exists as a substance that is alkaline, it is capable of dissolving in the remaining dead tissue which prevents bacteria growth. Due to toxicity, care is supposed to be taken within the canal during the replacement process by either using a needle or a file.
