Root Canal Treatments (RCT)
It is also called RCT in short. This treatment is done if the tooth caries is very deep and reaching the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth. To check the caries spread first an x ray is taken. During this procedure we clean the tooth from within including the roots. After that is done the tooth is filled till the end of the roots with a bio-compatible material.
This procedure can take 3 to 5 settings or even more depending on the infection. We do this procedure only after giving an injection of local anaesthesia to make it as painless for the patient as possible.
Antibiotics and painkillers are prescribed for RCT. After the treatment a cap is cemented on the tooth. The cap is very essential as the tooth becomes fragile after RCT and may fracture on biting or chewing anything hard.
Step by step guide to root canal treatment
1. An x-ray is taken for an accurate diagnosis.
2. Local anaesthesia is administered to make the treatment completely painless
3. A small opening on the crown is made to access the root canals.
4. The infected pulp is removed.
5. Root canals are cleaned thoroughly and enlarged to be able to fill them properly.
6. In case the root canal treatment is carried out over multiple sessions, medication is placed in the cleaned canal to kill any remaining bacteria and the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling.
7. During the following visit, the medication and the temporary filling is removed, and the root canal filling is placed.
8. Finally, tooth is sealed with a filling or a crown (cap), depending on the extent of the damage.
The circulation stops in the devitalized tooth which – along with the lack of pulp inside the tooth – makes the tooth more fragile and prone to chipping hence a crown is recommended to be placed on the tooth to avoid further problems.
