Now days, with revolutionary changes in concepts, root canal is considered as a routine & painless procedure and done only in one visit. Root canals are done with state of art high tech equipments with the use of advances machinery such as cordless Endomotor, Hyflex EDM file system ,Apex locator , digital xrays.

Symptoms of Root Canal Treatment

• Severe Tooth Sensitivity or tooth ache
• Discomfort due to hot and cold foods .
• Biting discomfort which does not disappear
• Cracks on the surface of the tooth.
• Trauma/damage to a tooth .
• Tooth discoloration

Root Canal Procedure

• A small hole is drilled on the biting surface of the tooth.
• A needle like instrument called files is introduced inside the canal.
• Cleaning and shaping of canals are done to remove infection out of the tooth.
• After complete disinfection, a rubbery material called guttapercha is used to fill the canals.
• A temperory filling is placed over it, till the crown is placed.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

• Complete cessation of pain and sensitivity.
• Tooth is protected from complete wear and strain.
• Healing of pus filled cavity ie complete disinfection of the tooth.
• Normal and efficient chewing.
• Retention of natural tooth structure.

Who Can Perform Root Canal Treatment

• General dentist – 5 yrs of general training in dentistry.
• Endodontist – 5 yrs of general training in dentistry + 3 yrs of specialized training in root canal treatment.

Misconceptions of Root Canal Treatment

Myth #1: Root Canal treatment is painful.
Truth: Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain, it relieves it.
Myth #2: A good alternative to root canal treatment is extraction (pulling the tooth).
Truth: Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option.
Myth #3: Root canals have very low success rate.
Truth : Root canals have a success rate of about 95%

As recently as 2013, research published in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, found that patients with multiple endodontic treatments had a 45 percent reduced risk of cancer.

Consequences of Delaying Root Canal Treatment

There are several risks of not getting a root canal in a tooth in which it is needed.

• First, is the loss of that tooth.
• Second, is the spread of the infection and abscess to another tooth.
• Third, is a possible infection in the face and neck. Left untreated the infection could spread to the brain resulting in death.

Common Questions About Root Canal Treatment

When is a root canal procedure not possible?
Root canal treatment is performed when severe tooth decay, cracking or trauma has damaged a tooth that is worth preserving. It may not be a suitable treatment option if the tooth is too badly damaged..

Tooth Extraction is Considered :

• When the tooth is so severely damaged that it cannot be repaired with a filling after root canal treatment
• When the tooth is not worth preserving (e.g., it is a wisdom tooth)
• When the tooth has a cracked root
• When the tooth is poorly embedded in the jawbone (e.g., due to periodontitis)

Post Root Canal Care & Pain Management

• Avoid eating after the procedure, especially while your mouth is still numb
• Attempt to avoid chewing or eating with the area of your mouth that your treated tooth lies in. Once restored (after the second visit) you can resume normal function
• Brush and floss as you normally would
• The temporary filling may begin to wear off in thin layers before your next appointment. This is nothing to be alarmed of, however you believe the whole filling has become removed contact your Endodontist immediately.