ROOT CANAL TREATMENT / ENDODONTIC TREATMENTROOT CANAL TREATMENT / ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

Tooth structureTooth structureAt the center of a At the center of a toothtooth is a hollow area that is a hollow area that

houses soft tissue, known as houses soft tissue, known as pulppulp. This hollow . This hollow area contains a relatively wide space towards the area contains a relatively wide space towards the

chewing surface of the tooth called the pulp chewing surface of the tooth called the pulp chamber. This pulp chamber is connected to the chamber. This pulp chamber is connected to the

tip of the root of the tooth via thin hollow pipe-like tip of the root of the tooth via thin hollow pipe-like canals—hence, the term "root canal". Human canals—hence, the term "root canal". Human teeth normally have one to four canals; teeth teeth normally have one to four canals; teeth toward the back have the most canals. These toward the back have the most canals. These canals run through the centre of the roots like canals run through the centre of the roots like pencil lead runs through the length of a pencil. pencil lead runs through the length of a pencil. The tooth receives nutrition through the blood The tooth receives nutrition through the blood vessels and nerves traversing these canals. vessels and nerves traversing these canals.

Occasionally, a cavity on the outside of the tooth Occasionally, a cavity on the outside of the tooth may allow this soft tissue to become infected. If may allow this soft tissue to become infected. If left untreated a serious jaw infection can result. left untreated a serious jaw infection can result. The infection and inflammation is very painful in The infection and inflammation is very painful in most cases. Treatment should take place before most cases. Treatment should take place before

this happens.this happens.

Sometimes a tooth is considered so threatened (because of Sometimes a tooth is considered so threatened (because of internal cracking etc) that future infection is considered internal cracking etc) that future infection is considered likely or inevitable, and a pulpectomy is advisable to likely or inevitable, and a pulpectomy is advisable to prevent it. But usually some inflammation and/or infection prevent it. But usually some inflammation and/or infection is already present, within or below the tooth. To cure the is already present, within or below the tooth. To cure the infection and save the infection and save the toothtooth, it is necessary for the dentist , it is necessary for the dentist to drill into the pulp chamber, and remove the infected pulp to drill into the pulp chamber, and remove the infected pulp by scraping it out of the root canals. Once that is done, the by scraping it out of the root canals. Once that is done, the dentist fills the cavity with an inert material and seals up dentist fills the cavity with an inert material and seals up the opening. This procedure is known as the opening. This procedure is known as root canal root canal therapytherapy. If enough of the tooth has been damaged, or . If enough of the tooth has been damaged, or removed as a result of the treatment, a crown may be removed as a result of the treatment, a crown may be required.required.

WHAT IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT / RCT ?

WHAT IS THE USE OF RCT?WHAT IS THE USE OF RCT?

In a nutshell, the process of root canal treatment first In a nutshell, the process of root canal treatment first removes (as thoroughly as possible) bacteria,infected removes (as thoroughly as possible) bacteria,infected nerve tissue, the organic debris left over from the nerve tissue, the organic debris left over from the breakdown of nerve tissue, and bacterial toxins from breakdown of nerve tissue, and bacterial toxins from within the inner aspects of a tooth (the area originally within the inner aspects of a tooth (the area originally occupied by the tooth's nerve tissue). Each of these occupied by the tooth's nerve tissue). Each of these items can produce tissue irritants that can cause your items can produce tissue irritants that can cause your body to activate an inflammation reaction. body to activate an inflammation reaction.

Subsequently, once this space has been cleansed the Subsequently, once this space has been cleansed the second half of root canal treatment involves filling in second half of root canal treatment involves filling in and sealing up the interior of the tooth. This aspect of and sealing up the interior of the tooth. This aspect of the treatment is an attempt to minimize the possibility the treatment is an attempt to minimize the possibility that bacteria will be able to recolonize the inner aspects that bacteria will be able to recolonize the inner aspects of the tooth or that tissue fluids can seep inside the of the tooth or that tissue fluids can seep inside the tooth, become stagnant, and subsequently break down. tooth, become stagnant, and subsequently break down. (Either of these situations could produce a state of (Either of these situations could produce a state of persistent inflammation in the tissues surrounding the persistent inflammation in the tissues surrounding the tooth's root.) The seal also contains and encapsulates tooth's root.) The seal also contains and encapsulates any debris that could not be fully removed during the any debris that could not be fully removed during the cleaning aspect of the root canal treatment process so cleaning aspect of the root canal treatment process so that it can't leak out and trigger an inflammation that it can't leak out and trigger an inflammation reaction. reaction.

How do you know when your tooth needs root canal treatment?How do you know when your tooth needs root canal treatment?

A tooth is currently causing you pain or else has A tooth is currently causing you pain or else has

a history of being painful.a history of being painful. You have noticed the presence of tenderness You have noticed the presence of tenderness

and/or swelling in your gums near a and/or swelling in your gums near a tooth. tooth.

Problem teeth identified by x-rays.Problem teeth identified by x-rays. Dentists Dentists often discover teeth that need root canal often discover teeth that need root canal treatment during routine x-ray treatment during routine x-ray evaluations. In the most obvious of these evaluations. In the most obvious of these cases the dental x-ray will show a dark cases the dental x-ray will show a dark

spot at the tip of the tooth's root.spot at the tip of the tooth's root. A persistent or recurring pimple on your A persistent or recurring pimple on your

gums. gums. . . Because they are literally Because they are literally drains for pus from an infected drains for pus from an infected tooth, a person might notice that tooth, a person might notice that they discharge a bad taste (the they discharge a bad taste (the pus). pus).

Exposure of a tooth's nerve.Exposure of a tooth's nerve.

Teeth which have been traumatized in an Teeth which have been traumatized in an accident.accident.

What are the individual steps of root canal treatment?What are the individual steps of root canal treatment?

Gaining access to the nerve area of the tooth. Gaining access to the nerve area of the tooth. This is accomplished by using a dental This is accomplished by using a dental drill and making an access hole that extends down to the pulp chamber of the tooth. drill and making an access hole that extends down to the pulp chamber of the tooth.

Cleaning the tooth out.Cleaning the tooth out. The next step of the root canal treatment process is for your The next step of the root canal treatment process is for your dentist to clean out the interior of your tooth (the pulp chamber and all root dentist to clean out the interior of your tooth (the pulp chamber and all root canals).This cleaning process removes any bacteria, toxins, nerve tissue, and canals).This cleaning process removes any bacteria, toxins, nerve tissue, and related debris that are harbored inside your tooth. related debris that are harbored inside your tooth.

Placing the root canal filling material.Placing the root canal filling material. Once the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned your dentist can fill in and seal up its interior by Once the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned your dentist can fill in and seal up its interior by way of placing root canal filling material.way of placing root canal filling material.

X RAY AFTER RCTX RAY AFTER RCT

Dear New Patient:Dear New Patient:

Here at RATRA MULTISPECIALITY AND COSMETIC Here at RATRA MULTISPECIALITY AND COSMETIC DENTAL CENTRE. we are dedicated to the concept DENTAL CENTRE. we are dedicated to the concept that all people should have the right to retain that all people should have the right to retain their natural teeth for a lifetime. Preventive their natural teeth for a lifetime. Preventive measures, high quality care, and cooperation measures, high quality care, and cooperation combined with timely treatment make it possible combined with timely treatment make it possible for most people to retain their natural teeth with for most people to retain their natural teeth with optimum comfort, function, and appearance. We optimum comfort, function, and appearance. We are dedicated to this concept and with your are dedicated to this concept and with your cooperation, we will do everything we can to help cooperation, we will do everything we can to help you reach your goals for dental health.you reach your goals for dental health.

Our plan is for you to achieve and keep a Our plan is for you to achieve and keep a HEALTHY & BEAUTIFUL MOUTH.HEALTHY & BEAUTIFUL MOUTH.

Thank you …………..Thank you …………..