So when finally you have pain and now the only option left is but to see the Dentist! You sit on the dental chair and now the dentist says - "iska toh root canal karna padega"! ( Your tooth needs a root canal treatment ).
Now when exactly your tooth requires a root canal treatment!?
The answer to this is when the decay goes deep down the layers of the tooth.
Roughly speaking to know the 3 layers let's take an example of a choco bar ice cream!
The ice cream has 3 layers upper chocolate then vanilla and then the hard chocolate!! When we go deep down the layers it tastes just awesome!!
Likewise the tooth has 3 layers , the more deeper the cavity the more severely it pains...
As the caries go deep down , it affect the most interesting layer of the tooth called as Pulp!
Whenever the decay goes that down, the pain , sensitivity to both hot and cold foods and beverages , night pain starts. These are the most common findings seen!
You visit the dentist the deep decay is confirmed with an X ray and the root canal treatment is planned!!
Since you are in intense pain , the dentist gives you anaesthesia so that it reduces the pain and the dentist can work properly .
What steps are involved ? Why doesn't it takes just 10 mins for the procedure but a 2 to 3 long appointments?
After the anaesthesia is given, the dentist removes the decay. As he progresses the removal of decay he hits the nerve opening. At this point you may feel a bit discomfort but not to worry it is taken care of by the dentist to make you comfortable.
There are various entry points according to the type of tooth. Some have 1, some have 2, 3 ,4 etc.
Each entry point is reached . Every entry point is the way to the canal inside the root. The infection which is is present at the tip of the root inside the bone is removed with various medicaments and dental instruments. This may take a while depending upon the structure of the canal ,severity of infection , calcifications present inside etc.
After this cleansing is done the canals become hollow since the infected vessels, nerves, bacteria are removed. This is filled with material known as gutta percha. Small slender cylindrical cones are available which are inserted. This procedure happens in the same visit or in second or third visit depending upon the infection and the situation of the tooth.
After the material is packed inside the upper visible part of the crown is filled with a different tooth coloured material.
Now this makes the Root Canal Procedure complete. But now the tooth requires cap / crown for effective chewing.
The next question arises why cap/crown is required!? Is my tooth that special?!
Tune in for the next article for the details.
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