What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is the general name for the methods used to treat a dead, dying or inflamed dental pulp (popularly known as a 'nerve'). Its main purpose is to restore the problematic area to its former form and make it functional again.
Endodontology or endodontics is the art and science of root canal treatment. Endodontics, as a major branch of science, is taught at undergraduate and graduate levels in many universities.
When a dental pulp becomes inflamed or necrotic due to a blow to the mouth or tooth, deep tooth decay, reaction to a filling that is too deep, a crack or split in the tooth, endodontic treatment is required. Because the presence of necrotic or dead nerve leads to the formation of an abscess.
Endodontic problems often occur in an acute phase with pain and swelling; However, in many cases the patient is asymptomatic and the presence of an endodontic problem is clearly diagnosed through a routine X-ray or radiological imaging.
How is root canal treatment done?
Endodontic treatment is performed once or twice, where the endodontist or dentist creates a small hole in the upper part of the tooth and removes dead or dying pulp with a series of fine files. After allowing the canals to fill, they are soaked with a strong antibacterial solution to ensure all bacteria are neutralized.
Following this antibacterial irrigation, the root canals are dried with small, sterile paper cones and then filled with a soft rubber-like material called Gutta Percha.
The final step in managing a root-filled tooth is the placement of a permanent restoration. In some cases this may be a simple filling, but more commonly a crown or complex restoration is required.