City Dental Care Blog 11 09 19

The human tooth is primarily made of two parts; the Crown which is the visible part of the teeth above the gums, and Roots which attach this crown to the jawbone within the gums. Inside this tooth is a hollow section filled with blood vessels, tissues and other cells. This hollow section is known as the Root canal, and all its contents are collectively known as the Pulp.

However, today, ‘Root Canal’ is a commonly known term used to refer to its treatment, which is originally known as ‘Endodontic therapy’ meaning, ‘inside the tooth’.

Cause of Root Canal Infection:

The pulp contained by the root canal is vital for the nourishment of the teeth. This pulp acts as a sensory organ for the teeth and gums by sensing temperatures of the food items we eat, and it also provides moisture around the teeth surface to prevent the food from sticking and forming cavities.

Despite this fact, due to improper oral hygiene or tooth damage, cavities are formed within the teeth which start eroding and infecting them.

Sometimes, these cavity infections enter through the surface of the tooth and start infecting the pulp inside the root canal. The pulp, if infected for a long time, develops pus and further affects the gums and the jawbones too.

Endodontic / Root Canal Treatment:

Endodontic therapy is the process of removing such infected pulp and tooth parts and replacing it with a prosthetic tooth and fillings.

This endodontic treatment takes places in three stages which are;

The Cleaning Stage:

  • Under local anaesthesia, a small access hole is made from over the tooth, exposing the infected canal.
  • Then the infected and dead pulp tissues are spooned out of the canal with the help of special tiny files.
  • Once the infected pulp is out, the empty canal is then thoroughly cleaned with disinfectants. 

The Filling Stage:

  • The dentist will then file off the infected tooth parts and reshape the tooth from inside-out. The reshaping of the tooth is crucial, so it holds the fillings properly.
  • Now, the reshaped tooth is filled with a rubber-like substance, and the canal is sealed with adhesive cement.

The Crowning Stage/ Restoration Stage:

  • After this treatment, without nerve tissues, the tooth becomes dead and fragile. Hence, the tooth receives its nourishment from the ligament, which connects it with the jaw bone.
  • As the tooth has no pulp, it is now weak and cannot be used for chewing purposes as the fillings might fall out.
  • After a root canal treatment, a tooth becomes brittle. It can be strengthened (to stop it from splitting while eating) with a cap or ‘crown’.

This treatment usually works in a single appointment. However, if the problem is in the back tooth with four-canal structure, then the dentist may suggest completing the treatment in multiple sessions. 

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment:

  • It prevents the infection from spreading any further, hence, preventing the patient from major diseases like cancer.
  • It saves the rest of the tooth, which is healthy and eliminates the pain.
  • This is relatively less costly than replacing the entire tooth with an implant or a bridge.

If you are looking for a good dentist in Wakad, City Dental Care is worth a try. Along with all the best dental treatments they provide, their staff is known to be a Root Canal Specialist in Wakad. And they are still the best choice if you’re looking for cosmetic dental treatment in Wakad or Pune.