Write abt spread of decay

When  is a root canal treatment (rct) done ????

• Root canal procedure is done when the decay is either very close to the nerve or the nerve of the tooth is already infected .
• It is also done if the tooth has discolored  because of trauma to the tooth leading to death of the nerve.

ROOT CANAL IS BASICALLY SALVAGING THE TOOTH WHICH IS BEEN INFECTED.

HOW IS A ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE DONE ??

• Root canal can be done in a single sitting or in multiple sittings, depending on the extent of decay , spread of  infection . Even patients co-operation and time availability needs to be considered .

• The 1^st step would be removing all the decayed tooth portion and getting an access to the canals of the tooth .

• 2^nd step is cleaning and disinfecting the infected  nerve. It is done using instruments called files . These  files can be used either manually or using rotary apparatus.

• The  3^rd step is once  the infected nerve is removed that space has to be filled with a bio compatible material called gutta perch.

These are the steps for a root canal treatment.  After root canal is over the tooth  is filled with a either composite (tooth colored filling ) or with a silver filling.

After filling the tooth is shaped to receive a cap

Putting a cap is must after root canal treatment because a lot of tooth structure is lost because of decay. This makes the tooth brittle and susceptible to fracture.

So  if a tooth is not capped there is a chance that while eating the filling or the tooth might fracture.

• CAPPING WILL HELP YOU USE YOUR ROOT CANAL TREATED TOOTH LIKE ANY OTHER TOOTH.
• CHEWING AND BITING WOULD BE EFFICIENT.
• ESTHETICS WOULD BE RESTORED.

PAIN FACTOR IN ROOT CANAL –

• Earlier root canals were considered to be very painful. But now with modern instruments and techniques , root canals are no longer painful.

• It is just the prick of the injection (local anesthesia )that you will feel  . Once the tooth becomes numb root canal is not at all painful.

• Your dentist will prescribe pain killers and antibiotics ( antibiotics if needed) which will take care of the mild pain or discomfort that may be caused after the procedure.

• The tooth might remain tender (i.e. mild pain on chewing and biting ) for 2 – 3 days after the procedure . That is why it is advised not to eat anything for a few days from the side where rct is being done.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN AFTER ROOT CANAL

• Capping the tooth  after rct is a must to avoid fracture of tooth .
• Good oral has to be maintained and regular dental check up has to be done to ensure that the tooth is not re-infected or decayed.
• Gums around the tooth should be well maintained to avoid food lodgement .take the medication as prescribed to avoid pain or discomfort.

CONCLUSION

RCT is the best way of saving and treating an infected tooth. If your dentist has advised an rct for yout tooth get it done at the right time. If it is not done at the earliest , the infection will go on spreading , making the tooth more and more brittle. Finally if the tooth fractures completely then saving it would be difficult and it might have to be removed.