There are several steps to perform root canal treatment.
♦ Clinical examination and x-ray
Before starting root canal
treatment affected tooth is carefully examined and x-ray are taken to see the
extent of carious lesion in tooth structure, extent of infection in bone,
anatomy of tooth pulp chamber, shape
,number, curvature and length of roots.
♦ Anesthesia to numb tooth
If tooth is vital, then it is
necessary to numb tooth by local anesthesia to make treatment comfortable for
patient. If tooth is nonvital, there is no need to anesthetize the tooth.
♦ Gaining access to the nerve area of the tooth
(Root canal opening)
The dentist needs to access
that area inside your tooth where the nerve tissue resides to start your root
canal treatment. This is accomplished by using a dental drill and making an
"access cavity" that extends down to the pulp chamber of the tooth.
On posterior teeth this hole is made on the chewing surface of the tooth. On
front teeth the access hole is made on the tooth's backside.
♦ Placing a rubber dam
A dental dam — a thin sheet of
rubber or vinyl — will be placed over the affected and adjacent teeth. The
tooth undergoing treatment protrudes through a hole punched in the dam,
isolating it from the rest of the mouth. This allows the root canal treatment
to be carried out in a sterile environment free from contamination by bacteria
found in saliva or the rest of the mouth. It save time, make treatment faster
and safer. It is more comfortable for patient as well as for dentist. It enhance the success rate of dental
treatment
♦ Cleaning the tooth
The next step of the root canal
treatment process is 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 related debris that are harbored inside your tooth.
Most of the part of cleaning
process is accomplished by using "root canal files" and copious
irrigation. Root canal files look like straight pins with rough surface. These
instruments literally are files and are used as such. There are series of root
canal files, each of increasing diameter, up and down in your tooth while
simultaneously using a twisting motion. This action will scrape and scrub the
sides of the tooth's root canal(s) and thus cleans it out.
As an additional part of the
cleaning process, we will wash your tooth periodically ("irrigate"
the tooth) so to help flush away any debris that may present. Traditionally, a
number of different solutions have been used for this purpose. Nowadays, sodium
hypochlorite is commonly used. An added benefit of sodium hypochlorite is that
it is a disinfectant.
♦ Determining the length of root canal
Radiographs are important for
root canal treatment. Throughout a root canal treatment we will need several
x-ray pictures of the tooth to determine the position of the instruments and
filling material inside the canals. Now days, latest technology Apex locator is
used to determine length of root canal. At our clinic, we use Root Zedex apexlocator, world’s no. 1 brand in apex locator.
♦ Instrumentation used for root canal treatment
The root canals are identified
and then cleaned out with special root canal instruments. Some are used by
hand; others rotate in a hand piece( rotary endodontic system). They all have the function of removing
debris from the canal and smoothing and shaping the walls of the canals to
create a smooth, clean surface along the entire length of the tooth root canal.
The canals are constantly rinsed to aid in debris removal and canal
sterilization. In some, but not all root canal cases, the canals may be dressed
with various medications and sealed with a temporary filling material to allow
time for the infection to clear.
♦
Sealing is done in root canals (Obturation)
Once the tooth root canals are
suitably cleaned and shaped and infection free they can be sealed off. A root
filling material (usually a rubbery material called gutta percha) is placed
into each canal with a special sealer with the help of 3D obturation system.
♦ Final restoration becomes important in root
canal process
Placing a suitable final
restoration is almost as important as the root treatment itself. If the
restoration leaks bacteria can migrate down the side of the root sealer and
re-infect the tooth. Commonly, composite filling is used for post root canal
filling.
In case of badly carious tooth,
where there is no sufficient tooth structure to retain filling material, we
will have to build up a foundation to strengthen the tooth and support the
crown. This procedure is called post and core. A post is a fibre post.
Finally, a crown is made and cemented onto the tooth. If a post and core have been placed in the tooth, the crown is then cemented over the post and core.
Read More FAQ – All About Root Canal Treatment
- What Is Procedure Of Root Canal Treatment?
