Root canal treatment is a dental treatment process that is used in the removal of inflamed and infected pulp from the core of the tooth. What Causes You To Need A Root Canal? In every tooth, there are presently three zones or layers. The outermost is the enamel which is white in color, and it is what we see in the oral cavity. The second layer is the dentin which is yellow in color, and the hue of this yellow color can be seen in the teeth of many people. The innermost layer and core of the tooth is the pulp which is the soft tissue. The pulp is the part that contains nerves and blood vessels and has connective tissue. They all help in the growth and development of the teeth. There are so many causes that require you to get a root canal. They are as follows: -Tooth decay: The oral bacteria that is present is the sole cause and culprit that leads to the inflammation and infection of the root canal. It starts with a small black hole that then progresses to the deep carious lesion, which ultimately reaches the pulpal region. It slowly spreads to the whole pulp and destroys the pulp, infecting the pulp chamber as well as the pulp canals. If this is not treated on time, the pulpal infection spreads to the surrounding supportive tissues and the bone. -Cracked tooth: A cracked tooth can also damage the pulp causing it to swell and bulge, and this indicates that we should perform a root canal. After the root canal is performed, an artificial crown is placed over the treated tooth to resume the normal mastication process and thus prevent any other insult to the healing tooth. -Traumatic injury: If a person falls off the stairs or gets into another accident and receives a serious injury, it seriously affects the teeth. Due to this injury, the pulp may be exposed, and the blood vessels running through it are exposed. The chances that they get ruptured are increased. To avoid such a situation, it is advised that a root canal is performed and the tooth is saved. -Severe pain: Pain is the sole indicator that the pulp is in danger and that the pulp may be inflamed or infected and in need of root canal therapy. The pain that a patient experiences is very specific. The patient gives a history that they experience pain when pressure is applied to the tooth, that is during chewing or when the tooth is compressed. The pain may be continuous or may occur at specific times, may be affected by posture change, and may or may not radiate toward the ear and temple region. This shows that the condition is irreversible pulpitis, and the sole treatment for this is getting a root canal. -Sensitivity in the tooth: If a patient experiences sensitivity in their tooth when they eat or drink hot or cold foods and the sensitivity lingers on even after the stimulus is removed, it then indicates that they require root canal treatment. Here the sensitivity towards hot foods is a better indicator that suggests that the patient needs root canal therapy. -Abscess formation: If the gums show slight swelling due to the development of an abscess, then the person needs to get a root canal done. An abscess is a kind of infection when the pulp is damaged and dies, and in place of it, a pool of pus starts to develop. This pus is then affected by the bacteria. This swells up and forms a bulge that appears as a pimple. If this is not treated, the pus infection spreads to the surrounding tissues.

The Procedure Of Root Canal Treatment -Step 1 (Anesthesia): Firstly, the dentist will take an X-ray of the tooth to examine for any kind of infection in the surrounding bone or tissues. After that, a numbing paste is applied to the gums, and after a while, a local anesthetic is injected into the gums. -Step 2 (Placement of a dental dam): Isolation of the tooth is accomplished with the help of a dental dam or rubber dam. This keeps the tooth free of saliva and bacteria. -Step 3 (Accessing the root canals): The next step is drilling access in the tooth, a small opening made on the chewing surface for the posterior teeth and on the lingual (tongue) side for the anterior teeth. -Step 4 (Cleaning the canal system): This is done by the use of root canal files. They help to remove the bacteria, infected pulp, and dead, decayed tissue from the root canals. They enter the root canal and work the full length of the canal, scraping its sides and thoroughly cleaning it. -Step 5 (Drying and filling): After thoroughly cleaning and shaping the canals, they are dried before filling them with sealants.

FAQs -How do I avoid a root canal? These guidelines should be followed. Brush twice daily, floss once daily, avoid hard foods such as hard candies and lollipops, do not chew ice, and always wear a mouthguard while playing sports. -How do you know if you need a root canal? Persistent tooth pain is one of the signs that tell a patient that they may need a root canal. The pain in the tooth might bother them all the time, or it might go away from time to time but always return. The patient may feel the pain deep in the bone of the tooth. Or they may feel referred pain in the face, jaw, or other teeth. -Do I need a root canal if there is no pain? The patient might still need a root canal even if they do not feel any pain because not all infection results in pain. The purpose of a root canal is to handle any infection that has developed in the tooth pulp, not just stop from feeling pain. A root canal can save the infected tooth from having to be extracted.