Root canal treatment (RCT)
Root canal treatment or endodontic treatment is a dental procedure in which the diseased pulp of a tooth is removed and the pulp chamber and root canals are filled and sealed. Inflamed pulp most often causes pain and in order to relieve pain and save the tooth it needs root canal treatment. RCT can be performed by a general dentist or by an endodontist (a dentist specialized in endodontics).
RCT is performed under local anesthesia. The dentist removes any tooth decay and makes an opening through the natural crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
Inside the tooth, the pulp’s soft tissue contains the blood supplyand the nerve. This tissue is vulnerable and when a tooth becomes diseased, bacteria build up inside the pulp, spreading infection from the natural crown of the tooth to the end of the root in the jawbone. Pus accumulates at the ends of the roots, forming a painful abscess which can damage the bone.
The dentist determines the length of the root canals and cleans the entire canal space of diseased pulp tissue and bacteria and filles the canals with a material called gutta percha and a sealer cement to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth in the future. After root therapy the tooth becomes fragile and in order to protect it, prevent it from breaking, and restore it to full function an onlay, a crown, or a crown and post needs to be placed on the tooth.
RCT is performed under local anesthesia. The dentist removes any tooth decay and makes an opening through the natural crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
Inside the tooth, the pulp’s soft tissue contains the blood supplyand the nerve. This tissue is vulnerable and when a tooth becomes diseased, bacteria build up inside the pulp, spreading infection from the natural crown of the tooth to the end of the root in the jawbone. Pus accumulates at the ends of the roots, forming a painful abscess which can damage the bone.
The dentist determines the length of the root canals and cleans the entire canal space of diseased pulp tissue and bacteria and filles the canals with a material called gutta percha and a sealer cement to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth in the future. After root therapy the tooth becomes fragile and in order to protect it, prevent it from breaking, and restore it to full function an onlay, a crown, or a crown and post needs to be placed on the tooth.
