Hello my dear Steemers!!!
I suppose Everyone of us is familiar with the term "Root Canal Treatment". But have you ever wondered why in the first place do you need a Root Canal Treatment or simply RCT? What does an RCT do that it eliminates the tooth pain? Come then, lets begin our journey into the deep microscopic canals of the tooth.
What is a Root Canal and RCT?
The Root Canal are the inner passages of the Root portion of tooth which contains blood vessels and nerves (aka pulp) of that tooth. This pulp serves the purpose of providing food and sensation at the time of tootb development and after the complete tooth development, serves the main purpose of conducting stimulus from the teeth like hot or cold or hard biting.
RCT is the procedure done to remove these contents of Root Canal in order to treat the diseased tooth involving its pulp. Simply Put, it renders your teeth PAINLESS for the rest of its life.
Source
Causes for Root Canal Procedure
- Decay; The Decay by the bacteria upto the pulp level causes pain.
- Disease; The swelling from infection of tooth can lead to some pathology at the tip of the root which are removed by Root Canal.
- Damage; The damage can be any trauma to the tooth like chipping or breakage of tooth due to some accident which are painful.
- Fixed Bridge Prosthesis, etc.
Source
What are the SIGNS that you need a Root Canal Treatment?
- Severe Toothache or Pain.
- Swelling or tenderness in the Gums.
- Prolonged Sensitivity to hot and cold liquids.
- A small bump in the Gums area of the aching tooth sometimes with some sour discharge (pus) from that bump.
- Discolouration or Darkening of Tooth.
- Pain on chewing or applying pressure on the carious tooth.
Not all the Teeth having Pain require RCT and Not all the Teeth requiring RCT have Pain.
According to american Academy of Endodontists, The most common symptom that may indicate the need for a root canal is tooth pain. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe; it may lessen or intensify throughout the day, or it may get worse only when you bite down on the tooth.
Source
The Tooth Pain that increases in the intensity on lying down is the most common indication of RCT
Diagnostic Tests for the Tooth if it needs RCT
In order to fully reach to the final diagnosis that the tooth requires the RCT, the dentist performs some Tests which are as;
- Thermal (hot and cold)Test,
- Percussion (Tapping)Test,
- Electric pulp testing and
- X-ray evaluation (conventional and/or cone beam computed tomography).
Is the RCT procedure Painful?
Most of you might have undergone this procedure and would be well aware of the procedure of RCT. It is a stepvise procedure which begins by numbing your tooth by the Anesthesia. The Anesthesia wards off all the Pain of the procedure and is totally Safe provided some allergic reactions previously.
**The RCT is Painless throughtout the whole procedure.
The Numbing of the tooth can be done by a number or techniques like Numbing the Nerve to the tooth, Numbing the whole Jaw, etc.
What are the general steps in the RCT?
The RCT can be a Multi-visit Procedure or Single-visit Procedure depending upon many factors. However, in both the procedures the Steps are common. After the dentist has reached to a final diagnosis, these steps are performed on the tooth;
- Anesthesia This causes the aching tooth to become numb so that you won't feel a thing during the procedure(Sleeping Tooth). It can be done by number of methods however 💉 method is common.
Fun Fact! Look for various kinds of Funny Videos on YouTube regarding patients talking immediately after the dental Procedure.
Drilling The Root Canals are drilled by Rotor which also cleans off the decayed portion of the tooth. The infected Pulp is taken out and the Root canals are cleaned off and Washed properly.
Filling The Root Canals are filled with inert material so that no further infection remains or grows in the Tooth. The properly Closed Environment is the must for the longevity of the RCT.
Finishing Up The Drilled and excavated tooth is Restored with a Crown 👑 which restores the function of the tooth.
Source
Do RCTs Work?
A survey shows that almost 95% of the Root Canal Treated patients have a successful procedure with tooth lasting almost for the rest of the life time. Pain of the Tooth with the above causes is mostly relieved by RCT.
My Thoughts!!!
The Tooth Pain is one of the most undesirable and irritating Pain. It can be shooting, and pulsating pain which may sometimes involve whole of the jaw or even head. Thus the care should be taken in order to prevent the tooth and yourself from such anguish.
Now if the pain did happen, don't avoid visiting your dentist or take medicines on your own. The thing with medicine is that, it just ceases the growth of infection temporarily and makes the pain go away for that time. But it doesn't treats the basic problem of the tooth. Thus after a week or few the infection reappears and now with more severity and Pain. If The condition is Overlooked, the infection can spread to the surrounding areas causing swelling, Pain and Restricted or Painful Mouth Opening.
Dentistry is not Expensive, Neglect is.
The Best is to go to a dentist and undergo a proper treatment regarding that tooth. Now the thing after the RCT is performed, if care is taken the tooth will remain for the rest of his life without even extracting it. However, for that to happen a Crown or Cap of the Tooth is Must for proper functioning of tooth. There have been many patients coming to me regarding post RCT failures or Fractures but in almost all of those cases, they didn't had their RCT tooth restored with Crown.
So it is better to be cautious than sorry which will even cost you some good money if overlooked. Brush, Floss and Dental Visits are Must for the proper and overall health of your oral cavity.
Source
So this is it for Tonight...
Source
Crest
Colgate
Animated Teeth
Webmd
My Previous Post
My Day at the Oral Surgery Clinics
Till next time.
Steem On
May The Steem Be With Us
To all the Kashmiri people on Steemit...Karew Kousher Steemit Join Discordas Paith
Follow @mirhimayun
