Everyone comes across dental problems at least once in their lifetime. When it happens, activities like eating, drinking, and smiling can become very difficult. The pain and discomfort caused can be unbearable. Not to forget the psychological effects of poor dental/oral health.
One such condition is tooth decay.
What is Tooth Decay?
Just like all other organs and body parts, the tooth is susceptible to infection as well. This tooth is referred to as an infected or abscessed tooth.
An abscessed tooth can appear normal on the outside, as the infection usually affects the soft inner part known as the pulp. The inflammation or infection of the pulp is the root cause of an abscessed tooth. The pulp is composed of nerves and blood vessels. As a result, one can expect severe pain when they have a decayed tooth.
Note that this condition does not heal on its own. You will need the assistance of an expert dentist to remove the infected pulp.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal surgery is recommended to treat tooth decay. In this dental process, the infected pulp is removed to save the tooth and prevent further damage. The tooth is cleaned and disinfected after the infected pulp is removed. The interior is then filled up to seal the empty space.
Signs That You Need a Root Canal
It is important to keep an eye out for the symptoms of a decayed tooth, as most people don’t even know they have one. Here are some symptoms you should watch out for.
- Severe and recurring toothaches
- A toothache that causes discomfort in the jaw, face, or other teeth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Tooth discolouration
- Puffy gums (normally caused by pus gathering near the infection site)
- Pimples or boils on the gums
- Swollen jaw
- Pain and discomfort when pressure is applied to the tooth
- Chipped or cracked tooth due to trauma or an accident
- Loose tooth (caused by pus softening the bone that holds the tooth)
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay can occur for various reasons. Some of them are listed below.
- Decay due to a cavity that was left untreated
- More than one dental procedure was performed on the same tooth
- Chips or cracks on the tooth
- A tooth injury
Root Canal Surgery in Chennai
Root canal surgery may sound scary. But it is a normal procedure that is used to treat a decayed tooth and prevent the infection from causing further damage. The procedure involves the following steps.
- Consultation: The procedure happens either at a dentist’s or an orthodontist’s office. You will have to make multiple trips to the office, depending on the severity of the condition. In this stage, an X-ray is taken to identify areas of infection and plan a course of action.
- Anaesthesia: The dentist or orthodontist will apply local anaesthesia to numb the infected tooth and the area surrounding it. You may also be given additional medications to help you stay relaxed during the procedure, as it might induce anxiety for some patients.
- Dental Dam Placement: The area where the procedure is carried out must be kept dry. This is done with the help of a dental dam. The dam, made of a sheet of rubber, is placed around the infected tooth.
- Removing the Pulp: Next, the dentist drills a small hole in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp. The infected pulp is carefully removed through the drilled hole using special tools called files. Along with the infected pulp, the bacteria and all related debris are removed as well.
- Cleaning the Root Canal: The dentist uses the files throughout the length of the tooth, removing all traces of pulp. The tooth is cleaned using water or a sodium hypochlorite solution.
- Filling: The next step is filling. The dentist will apply a coat of antibiotics to prevent reinfection. After the application of the antibiotics, the tooth is filled up using gutta-percha, a sealer paste that resembles rubber.
Additional Steps
Some tooth decays are so severe that patients will require a dental crown after the root canal surgery. A dental crown procedure involves placing a custom-made crown to protect the operated tooth, prevent breakage, and restore its functionality.
Root Canal Treatment – Recovery
Increased sensitivity on the operated tooth is expected for the first few days. This is normal and can be tackled using prescription or over-the-counter painkillers.
The side effects of a root canal usually subside in a couple of weeks.
The root canal tooth usually lasts a long time, provided you follow good oral habits.
Right from the initial consultation to fitting the crown, the experts at BM Cosmetic will handle all stages of root canal treatment with efficiency and care. The team, headed by Dr Rajinikanth T, has handled hundreds of similar cases in our huge state-of-the-art facility in Nanganallur.
BM Cosmetic is the best place when it comes to root canal surgery in Chennai. Call 9952099620 to book an appointment today!
