Root canal treatment (RCT) & light cure filling
What is a Root Canal treatment or RCT?
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected due to dental caries. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.
Section of tooth showing damaged pulp inside.
what is root canal?
“Root canal” is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth’s nerve lies within the root canal.
Sometimes, the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected by disease or bacteria, or damaged by a traumatic injury to the tooth. An infected and untreated root canal can allow bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body.
RCT is specific procedure for treating the dental pulp when irreversible damage has occurred. Diseased or injured teeth can be preserved by RCT to avoid extraction. Damaged & infected pulp is removed & inner area is filled with special filling materials.We have done numerous RCT’s with excellent success rate.
what is single sitting Root Canal treatment RCT?
Single sitting root canal treatment is the non surgical conservative treatment of endodontically involved tooth which consist of complete biomechanical preparation and obturation[filling] of the root canal in a single visit.
Initially these procedures were done in 3-4 sittings which often became tedious to the patient. But now these procedures can be completed in a single day and that too within 45- 50 minutes.
How a Root Canal treatment is Performed: Step by Step
A root canal is essentially a four-step process. Treatment is usually performed over two visits.
1. Using a needle, the dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the tooth. It’s common to feel a prick in the area when the needle goes in. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist might place a dental dam, a small sheet of rubber that isolates the tooth to keep it clean and dry during the procedure.
2. Your dentist will then use very small tools, such as a small drill, to access the inside of the tooth by creating an opening in the top portion of the tooth. Next, he will use small files to clear away the damaged and diseased pulp from the inside of the tooth. He will also use the files to shape the inner chamber of the tooth and root and might irrigate the chamber with water to wash away any remaining pulp. He will also put an antimicrobial solution in the chamber to kill any remaining bacteria and reduce the risk for further infection.
Cleaning procedure of infected pulp
3.Once the chamber is thoroughly cleaned and dried, the endodontist will fill it. A rubber-like material called gutta percha is often used. Your dentist will close the opening in your tooth with a temporary filling, while you wait for the permanent crown.
your dentist will finish the treatment by placing a permanent crown or a similar type of restoration on the top of the tooth. Depending on the condition of your natural tooth, he may need to place a small supporting post inside the root chamber, to make the crown or restoration more stable.
Lightcure Filling
These days filling is done by a special material which has a same color as the normal tooth the procedure is known as Light cure Filling. It is done with the help of UV rays.
Root canal filled with special tooth colored materials[light cure]
Before and after RCT