Understanding Root Canal Treatment: What You Need to Know

To have a long-lasting toothache is certainly a disturbing and even painful experience. Frequently this discomfort signals a bigger problem that must be addressed by a professional dentist. One of the most common solutions, in case of the severe tooth decay or the infection, is Root Canal Treatment (RCT).

What is root canal treatment (RCT)?

Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is a dental treatment performed to relieve excruciating pain and save a tooth that has been severely infected or damaged. The therapy requires the extraction of the pulp that is infected, cleaning of the inner chamber, and then the sealing of the tooth to avoid other infections. This procedure may actually be the most effective way to stop pain and then get the tooth back to full health and function.

When is RCT Necessary?

Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is needed when the pulp -the tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels which is located in the innermost part of the tooth- gets infected or inflamed.

This condition can arise due to several reasons:

Deep Decay: A cavity left untreated may grow to a certain extent until it reaches the innermost portion of the tooth, the pulp. Bacteria from the breaking down of tooth material invade the dental pulp, resulting in inflammation and infection.

Repeated Dental Procedures: Due to multiple dental works done, like a filling, crown or the trauma, the structure of the tooth is changed. This may subject the pulp to microorganisms which will be followed by infection.

Faulty Crowns: Dental crowns are for capping and shielding the damaged teeth. Nevertheless, if a crown is poorly made or it gets loose, it is possible for bacteria to leak down and infect the tissue that makes up the pulp.

Crack or Chip in the Tooth: Crack or chip in the tooth can give a way to the pulp, allowing these bacteria to cause infection and irritation. Even the smallest cracks may become an entry point for bacterial penetration inside the tooth and into the pulp.

When the pulp becomes diseased or irritated, it can produce severe pain, sensitivity when coming in contact with hot or cold food items, and difficulty while chewing. If left alone, the infection can spread along the root canal system thus forming a pus pouch (abscess). Abscess is a pocket of pus, which is located at the end of the tooth’s root. Abscess causes swelling of mouth and may also cause bone loss in the jaw.

Some type of untreated infected pulp can be a cause of cyst formation. A cyst is a fluid one situated in the jawbone at the tip of the root. Cysts which deteriorate the bone as well as the nearby teeth can result without timely treatment.

Drugs for Tooth Pain Before and After RCT

Teething often serves as an early sign that a root canal may be in your future. To manage the pain, over-the-counter pills for toothache can be highly effective. Common options include:

Ibuprofen: It helps to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Acetaminophen: Helps relieve pain without decreasing the inflammation.

In some cases, your dentist may prescribe stronger teeth pain tablets if the pain is severe. Antibiotics may be given after the RCT in order to avoid infection as well as analgesics can be prescribed to ease pain during the healing process.

RCT Procedure and Post RCT Management

During the procedure, your dentist will anaesthetize the area around the concerned tooth so that you do not feel any kind of pain. The pulp becomes infected, and is therefore removed, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the tooth’s inner side. Finally, the tooth is sealed with a temporary or permanent tooth filling. In other words, a crown might be needed to protect the tooth and bring full function back to it.

Later on, it is quite normal to feel some discomfort and sensitivity around the treated teeth, yet they can be well-treated with the proper painkillers for gums and teeth. The majority of patients can typically return to their normal routine the day following the procedure.

Conclusion

Root Canal Therapy (RCT) is frequently superior to tooth extraction since the decay or infection would be severe enough to necessitate tooth extraction in other cases. Grasping the procedure, cost and available medicine may help you to have insight in taking care of the health of your teeth. If you are experiencing recurrent toothaches, please consult your dentist to clarify whether RCT becomes one of the alternatives for you.

Don’t forget one thing that the early help can reduce bigger dental problems in the future. If you feel at all that you might be in need of a root canal, don’t be reluctant to get help from a professional.