Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a significant part of all dental exercises around the globe. That is because more and more people find themselves needing this kind of treatment or therapy. Estimates show that five out of ten adults will have teeth-related problems before they are 50 years of age. With a majority of the said problems being cavity-related, it can be seen that the need for root canal treatment and therapy will keep increasing.

With that knowledge, it becomes necessary for patients to understand more about root canal treatment. In this article, we shall discuss and inform the reader what is root canal treatment, the signs that you need root canal treatment, the different types of root canal treatment, the procedure during a root canal treatment, and a few other related topics. Stick with us through the article to gain useful insights into this topic.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is the process of removing the infected and decayed part of the inner part of the teeth (pulp). When bacteria attack a healthy tooth, they will eventually find a nesting place in the innermost part of the tooth. After a while, they cause an infection which creates an abscess on the tooth. This abscess is the decaying process of the pulp and will need to be removed to save the tooth. The process of extracting that decayed pulp is what is referred to as root canal treatment.

Root canal therapy can be said to be a dental procedure to save a tooth. That is because the alternative to this procedure is tooth extraction. Many people assume that when their tooth is infected, the only way to solve the problem is through extraction. That is not true. You should not go for the cheaper tooth extraction without considering root canal therapy.

According to dentists at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, bacteria find their way to the pulp of your tooth when a cavity is left untreated or when your tooth cracks or is damaged due to trauma. You should note that the pulp of the tooth holds the nerves which are responsible for sensing cold or hot stimuli. That means removing the pulp and resealing the tooth will keep it functioning properly, but only with a lack of sensitivity to the said stimuli.

Signs that Indicate you Need Root Canal Treatment

The following are the signs and symptoms that show you may need root canal therapy:

Unending tooth pain. Tooth pain is normal whenever you have dental problems. But the pain associated with tooth abscesses will be very excruciating. The pain will seem to reverberate throughout the mouth, jaw, and end. It is said this pain is the reason why many people go for tooth extraction without even considering other options like root canal treatment.
Extra pain for external stimuli. The pulp of the tooth has the nerve endings that sense and make you react to cold or hot stimuli. However, it only provides a sensation that is supposed to go away in a matter of seconds. When this sensation turns into pain, that may be an indication that your tooth nerves have been damaged, hence you need a root canal treatment.
Swollen gums. Pus collects in the pulp area after a tooth has been affected. When this happens, the gums may become swollen, which is a clear indication that you need a root canal treatment.
Pimples on the gums. When pus collects in the infected tooth, it may sometimes drain through pimples and boils which form on the gums, leaving a bad smell and taste on the mouth. When you notice such kind of symptoms, it is a sign that you need immediate dental attention for a root canal treatment.
Swollen jaw. There are times when pus from the infected tooth does not find a way to drain from the pulp area. When that happens, the jawline will become visibly swollen, which indicates that you need a root canal treatment.
Loss of tooth colour. Infected pulp will cause tooth discolouration to the infected tooth because of poor blood circulation. That means previously white-looking teeth will now seem darker. Loss of tooth colour should be an indication that you need to visit your dentist immediately.
Types of Root Canal Treatments

The goal and aim of all root canal treatments and therapies are to remove the infected part of the pulp part of the tooth. The variations of the treatments available will depend on the preference of your dentist, the health of your teeth, and the nature of the kind of your root canal.

The following are the main variations of root canal treatments:

1. Non-surgical root canal treatment

Also referred to as the traditional root canal therapy, this method involves the endodontist making a small hole in the tooth’s crown to gain access to the inside pulp of the tooth. Afterwards, they will use files to scrape and draw the infected pulp from the tooth. To ensure that all the infected pulp has been flushed out, the dentist may have to use cleaning solutions on the tooth. When the dentist is satisfied that the tooth is free from infections, he will fill and seal the hole.

Traditional root canal procedures require two dental appointments to complete. They also need experienced dentists who know how to properly use the files since if the infected pulp is not completely removed, the infection will reoccur, making it necessary for a revision treatment in the future.

2. Gentlewave root canal procedure

A gentlewave root procedure uses the files in different ways than the traditional procedure. It is considered less intrusive and it uses sound waves and fluids to clean the furthest parts of the tooth. Patients who undergo this kind of root canal procedure experience less pain as compared to those who have gone through other root canal procedures. It requires a single dental appointment to be done as compared to traditional root canal treatments which require two appointments. It is also the procedure with the highest success rate among all the root canal therapies.

3. Waterlase system

The waterlase system is considered an advancement in technology when it comes to dental treatments. It uses lasers, water, and air to flush out bacteria from the root canals. It also removes more debris from the inner part of the tooth as compared to traditional root canal procedures, therefore, reducing the need for retreatment. This new technology allows dentists to perform root canal treatments in a less invasive way since they drill very small parts of the tooth, therefore, leaving your tooth stronger and healthier.

4. Root canal retreatment

Root canal retreatment is necessary when the previously treated tooth becomes re-infected. The dentist will remove the seal to access the re-infected pulp of the tooth. They will then try and remove the bacteria-infected part, after which the tooth is resealed again. You should also know that any further damage or cracks to the tooth may also cause a new infection in the tooth. But the biggest need for retreatment arises from a poorly done root canal procedure, mostly from traditional procedures.

5. Endodontic microsurgery

Endodontic microsurgery is an advanced root canal procedure that is necessary when the traditional methods are unable to do treatment due to complications of the tooth or you have calcium deposits in the tooth. It is a procedure that is only recommended when the non-surgical methods are unable to get the job done. You should note that this is a surgical procedure that is done like any other surgery. This surgery is done when all else has failed and it is the only available option to save your tooth.

Root canal Treatment Process

Endodontists at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, opine that the process of a root canal treatment begins with an x-ray to determine the extent of the damage and the kind of root canal procedure appropriate for the patient. The patient will then be informed of the results of the scan and the related costs for root canal therapy and the other available options if any. After the patient accepts to have the root canal treatment, the following are the steps that the dentist follows to have a successful procedure:

Anaesthesia. The patient is put under local anaesthesia to numb the infected tooth and the surrounding gums. The dentist may also use other medicines to make the patient relax. Some patients are very anxious about this kind of procedure and therefore the dentist may also use stronger sedatives to put them to sleep.
Dam placement. A dental dam that is made from rubber is placed over the infected tooth to separate it from the rest. That serves to keep the tooth dry during the treatment process.
Access hole. A hole is drilled on the crown of the teeth to access the infected part. The size of the hole to be drilled depends on the type of root canal treatment to be applied, with traditional procedures requiring a larger hole than the other methods.
Pulp removal. The endodontist uses special instruments to remove the nerves, blood vessels, and tissues from inside the tooth. It is the breeding ground for bacteria and it needs to be cleaned as much as possible to avoid re-infection.
Shaping the canals. After the pulp has been flushed out, the pulp chamber and the root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and then shaped. Doing this ensures that the tooth can still function properly after the treatment.
Filling the canals. After shaping the root canals, they are filled with a dental material called gutta-percha. It is a rubbery material that ensures that the tooth remains firm.
Sealing the tooth. The treated tooth needs to be sealed in order o prevent the re-entry of bacteria. Most endodontists choose to place a temporally dental filling as they await to place a permanent restoration to the tooth, but others may place a permanent filling at this stage.
Placing the final restoration. The final part of a root canal treatment is to place a crown on the treated tooth so that its normal functions of biting are restored. Crowns are custom made and their modelling may take a few weeks to be completed. Once the crown is ready, the temporally filling is removed and the crown is placed. There are different kinds of dental fillings for the patient to choose from depending on their preference.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

The following are the main advantages of having a root canal treatment:

It prevents tooth disease from spreading to other teeth. Once a tooth has been invaded by bacteria, it is very easy for the bacteria to move to the other teeth if not adequately treated.
Eases the pain of toothache. Those who have suffered an aching can testify that the pain is excruciating and that a root canal treatment is a big relief once performed on the aching tooth.
Reduces the risk of jawbone damage. A diseased tooth leads to more infections in the mouth which may lead to the destruction of the jawbone.
Eliminates the need for tooth extraction. The most important reason for a root canal treatment is to save the infected tooth. If this procedure is not performed, then the remaining option is to remove the tooth.

Side Effects of Root Canal Treatment

The following are the disadvantages and risks associated with root canal treatments:

Tooth discolouration. Since the nerves and blood vessels in the tooth are removed, the tooth might lose some of its original colour.
Reduced tooth function. After a root canal procedure, the tooth does not function optimally as all the senses are lost with the removal of the nerve endings.
Normal surgical risks. In the case of a surgical root canal procedure, normal surgical risks like over bleeding are also present in this procedure.

FAQs About Root Canal Treatment

Can a root canal treatment fail?

People ask if a root canal procedure can fail. The answer is YES. A root canal procedure may fail due to several reasons including a poor removal of the infected part or if your tooth is too damaged for the procedure. The symptoms of a failed procedure are the same as those of an infected tooth which include swollen gums, swollen jawbone, tooth discolouration, and unending toothache.

What is the alternative to root canal treatment?

Some ask if a root canal procedure has an alternative. The answer is NO. Root canal therapy has no alternative but the extraction of the infected tooth. The only consolation is that after a tooth has been extracted, it can be replaced using implants and dental bridges.

How long does it take to recover from a root canal treatment?

Some ask how long it will for a root canal procedure to heal. The pain and discomfort associated with this procedure last for less than a week. The mild pain can be dealt with using simple pain killers. It is advised that you should consult your dentist if the pain lasts for more than a week.

What can be done to avoid a root canal treatment?

People also ask about the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid a root canal treatment. Like a majority of the tooth diseases and problems, a root canal majorly stems from poor oral hygiene. So, to avoid these infections, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and keep visiting a dentist during the recommended twice-a-year visits.

What is the cost of a root canal treatment?

Some wonder about the cost of a root canal procedure. The cost of a root canal procedure is determined by the position of the infected tooth in the mouth, the extent of the damage, and the kind of procedure to be performed. On average, a patient should pay between Kshs 70,000 and Kshs 120,000. Luckily, most insurance plans cover these procedures which is a big relief to the patients.

Conclusion

Root canal treatment is a procedure that is done purposely to save you from a tooth extraction. The procedure involves non-surgical methods and also surgical methods. The surgical methods of root canal treatments are only done if the non-surgical traditional methods prove ineffective.

Unlike other dental procedures, root canal treatments are not painful and a majority need only one appointment to get the job done. It is advised to seek immediate dental help whenever any of the symptoms discussed above have been noticed. That is because further delays will only worsen your tooth infection and the damage to the tooth.

For those in Kenya, the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic is the one-stop clinic for all your dental requirements. We are ready to serve you in any of our Dental Clinics in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Nakuru counties.

Book an appointment at this clinic by CLICKING HERE and get to enjoy world-class dental services at the best rates in town. Remember that the longer you wait before seeking dental services for any problem, the worse the problem will get, and the more costly it will be to treat or manage in the future. Early diagnosis equals early treatment which equals better dental health.