Root Canal Treatment
When the nerve within a tooth is affected irreversibly by the presence of a cavity, fracture or other diseases, pain and infection usually follow. A root canal treatment will allow the removal of the affected nerve and the elimination of all the discomfort associated with it, while preserving the tooth and preventing tooth loss.
Procedure:
Application of topical and local anaesthetics to numb the tooth
Application of a “raincoat” called Rubber Dam to isolate the tooth from the rest of the mouth
Drilling out any decayed/fractured/diseased tooth structure and gaining access to the nerve within the tooth
Removal of the affected nerve and tissues within the nerve canal
Cleaning and shaping of the nerve canal with disinfectants and instruments
Drying and filling of the nerve canal with some sealant materials to prevent infection from returning
The access hole to the nerve canal will be closed with a temporary filling
Shortening of the chewing surface of the tooth to avoid fracture of the remaining tooth structure
Following a Root Canal Treatment:
Repair of the access hole to the nerve canal and restoring the missing tooth structure as a result of the cavity/fracture/disease. This is usually done by using permanent filling with or without a post for extra support
Tooth usually will need to have a cap (crown) or a large filling (onlay) covering the whole chewing surface of the tooth
Tooth can then resume normal function. However, it is best to avoid chewing on anything really hard and tough.