A root canal treatment (RCT) is needed when the soft tissue inside a tooth, called the pulp, becomes infected or badly inflamed. This usually happens because of deep decay, a cracked tooth, repeated dental work or an injury. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the bone around the root and cause swelling, abscess and eventually loss of the tooth.
The aim of RCT is to save your natural tooth. The infected pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped, and then sealed so bacteria cannot return. At Dental Universe, Dr. Soumya Chaudhuri specialises in Micro Endodontics, which means working with magnification so that fine canals are located and cleaned more accurately.
When You May Need Root Canal Treatment
- Severe or throbbing toothache, especially at night
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold even after the stimulus is removed
- Pain while chewing or on touching the tooth
- Swelling or a small pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth
- A darkened tooth after an injury or deep decay
How the Treatment Works
- Examination and X-ray. The tooth is examined and an X-ray is taken to see the shape of the roots and the extent of infection.
- Local anaesthesia. The area is numbed so that the procedure is comfortable.
- Cleaning the canals. The infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped with fine instruments, under magnification where needed.
- Filling the canals. Once clean and dry, the canals are sealed with a biocompatible filling material.
- Final restoration. A filling or a crown is placed to protect the tooth, as a treated tooth can be more prone to fracture.
Benefits
- Saves your natural tooth instead of extraction
- Relieves pain caused by infection
- Prevents the infection from spreading
- Treated teeth can function normally for many years with good care
Aftercare & Tips
- Avoid chewing hard food on the treated tooth until the final restoration is done
- Mild soreness for a few days is common and usually settles with prescribed medicines
- Complete the full treatment, including the crown if advised
- Brush, floss and visit for regular check-ups
