Root canal treatment is a main procedure in Endodontics, the study of diseases of the tooth’s pulp. The pulp lies in the tooth’s center and in root canals in each tooth root. It consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It nourishes the tooth upon its first appearance. After the maturation of the tooth, the pulp can be removed from the pulp chamber.). This procedure is called endodontic treatment, or more commonly, root canal treatment.

Need for Root Canal Treatment

The need for root canal treatment arises for two main reasons:

• Infection or permanent damage to the tooth’s pulp: Commonly this is the result of an untreated cavity, which allows the bacteria to enter and infect the pulp. Inflammation resulting from such infection restricts the tooth's blood supply. Hence antibiotic treatment is not effective in treating it.
• Trauma or Dental Restorative Work: Trauma and extensive dental restorative work can also result in the need for root canal treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

In case of pulp infection, no pain is felt at first. Pain and swelling occur if the infection is left untreated. An abscess may develop. Finally, extraction f tooth is necessitated. A list of indications of the need for root canal treatment follows here:

• Touching, pushing, or biting down on a tooth makes it hurt
• Tooth is sensitive to heat and cold for more than a few seconds
• Swelling near the tooth
• Discoloration of tooth (with or without pain)
• Broken tooth

Duration of Root Canal Treatment

One or more visits are needed for root canal treatment, depending on the individual case of the patient. Several appointments are usually required for the complete elimination of the infection. In some cases, root canals are difficult to locate so the treatment takes longer. When the treatment is over, the patient should see a general dentist to restore the tooth with a crown or filling.

Treatment Procedure

Root canal treatment proceeds in the following steps:

• Measuring
• Cleaning
• Filling
• Additional Treatment

Measuring

The dentist will numb the area around the tooth. Sedatives like nitrous oxide may be applied, if needed. The dentist will then make a hole in the top or back of the infected tooth to reach the pulp chamber. Next thing to do is to remove some of the infected pulp. Then the root canals are measured by means of x-rays or an electric device called an apex locator. Both may be used in measuring.

Cleaning

Cleaning includes the removal of all the infected tissue from the canal by means of specially designed instruments. After the removal of infected tissue, the canal is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.

Filling

After cleaning the canal, the whole of it is filled down to the roots. To cover the new root filling, the dentist will place a temporary filling. A permanent filling is then used to restore the crown of the tooth.

Additional Treatment

After the treatment, the tooth is usually sore for 2 to 3 days and the dentist may prescribe analgesics to relieve the pain. He/she may also advise not to chew on the treated side.