Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. It involves removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it and then filling and sealing it. The common causes affecting the pulp are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth or trauma.

The term “root canal” comes from cleaning of the canals inside the tooth’s root.

Advantages of saving the natural tooth with RCT:-

• Efficient chewing
• Normal biting force and sensation
• Natural appearance
• Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain.

Root Canal treatment step by step:-

1. A Deep Infection

Root canal treatment is needed if tooth is infected due to any injury or a large cavity.

2. A Route to the Root
   The dentist gives anesthesia, if needed. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth to the pulp chamber.

3.Removing the infected/inflamed tissue

Special  files are used to clean infection and unhealthy pulp out of canals.

Irrigation is used to help clean the canals and remove debris.

4.Filling the canals

The canals are filled with permanent material. This helps to keep the canals free of infection and contamination.

5.Rebuilding the tooth

A temporary filling material placed on top of the gutta –percha to seal the opening. The filling remains until the tooth receives a permanent filling and/or a crown.

6.Extra Support

In some cases a post is placed into the root next to the gutta-percha. This gives the crown more support.

7.The crowning touch

The crown is cemented into place which looks like a natural tooth .It is placed over the top of the crown.

How to get rid of stains?

Stained teeth can be due to poor oral hygiene, consumption of tobacco etc. So, it is important to change your habits in order to have a good smile. Get professional cleaning done and maintain hygiene.

 How to fight bad breath?

Foods like onion or garlic are notoriously known for causing bad breath. Other items that can be responsible for it are coffee, alcohol and cigarettes. Eating a healthy balanced diet, staying hydrated, washing your mouth at regular intervals, brushing right and giving up on smoking can help.Mouthwashes can help for transient time. Start flossing and cleaning tongue.

 Toothaches are really painful. What to do?

There can be causes like accidents or falls, misaligned or impacted wisdom teeth, gum disease,caries, etc. If your tooth is hurting, it is recommended that you visit a dentist to get relieved of your pain, instead of self medication.

 After how much time, toothbrush should be changed?

Replace your toothbrush when the bristles start splaying or bending, or every three months, whichever comes first.

    Why is smoking bad for my teeth?

Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave extrinsic stains on the enamel of the teeth. Tobacco contains staining elements that cause a gradual yellowing of teeth and affect the appearance of your teeth.

   What can be reason of dry mouth?

Dry mouth is not a disease, it’s a symptom of other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s or a side effect of several medicines.A dry mouth can increase tooth decay and fungal infections of mouth.

 How many times should I brush?

While it is ideal to brush thrice a day, brushing twice everyday for 2 minutes can be sufficient to prevent germ build up and maintain good oral hygiene.

1.Brush at least twice a day. The best time to brush teeth is after meals. Choose a toothbrush with a small head for better access to back teeth. Soft bristles are kinder on your gums.

2.Use fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and reduces your risk of decay.

3.Brush thoroughly. Tooth brushing should take between two and three minutes.

4.Floss your teeth daily. Use a slow and gentle sawing motion.

5.Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices. Food acids soften tooth material and dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel, causing holes (cavities or caries).

6.Limit sugary foods. Bacteria in dental plaque change sugars into acids.

7.Protect your teeth from injury. Wear a mouthguard or full-face helmet when playing sports.

8.Try to save a knocked out tooth. If possible, hold the tooth back in place while you seek immediate dental advice. If this is not possible, wrap the tooth in plastic or place it in milk and seek dental advice immediately.

9.Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food. If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, you risk chipping or even breaking your teeth.

10.See your dentist for regular check-ups. You should also visit your dentist if you have a dental problem such as a toothache or bleeding gums.

Myth-Once you get a denture, it lasts forever.

Fact– Dentures are tough,but artificial teeth are softer than natural teeth. Proper regular care and cleaning is needed for the denture maintainence .

Myth- After losing all the teeth will lead to suffering with a denture for rest of life.

Fact- Having dentures doesn’t mean that you have to suffer! These days with modern dentistry, having dental implants helps to retain and stabilize a denture. The implant-supported denture also allows you to eat food that you would normally not be able to eat.

Myth- Dentures can be made with a standard mould.

Fact– Not at all. Every denture is different as it’s custom-fabricated according to your bone and soft tissue in your mouth.

Myth-Dentures will change your appearance.

Fact-Dentures that fit properly shouldn’t change the shape of your face or appearance but give you a perfect and confident smile.

Myth- You can’t eat or speak properly with a denture.

Fact- It needs little time to acclimatize to your denture. Properly fitting dentures may actually encourage you to eat a varied and well balanced diet that maximizes your overall health.

Warning labels on cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products  point smoking and tobacco are bad for your body and bad for your oral health.

Smoking and chewing tobacco risk factors:

• Mouth and throat cancer
• Gum disease
• Delayed tooth adjustment with orthodontic work
• Poor healing after oral surgery
• Receding gums
• Tooth decay
• Failed dental implants

The best thing you can do for your teeth, mouth and health is to quit using tobacco; it’s the only way to decrease your risk regarding tobacco-related health problems. It’s not easy because the nicotine in cigarettes, cigars, and pipe and chewing tobacco, is very addictive. But you can do it. And when you do you’ll be happier and healthier, and have a smile of which you can be most proud!

Smoking directly affects your oral health because it:

• Reduces blood flow to your gums
• Reduces the Vitamin C levels which is needed to keep your gums healthy
• Raises the temperature in the mouth, damaging and killing important cells

Smoking causes:

• Bad breath
• Stained teeth and tongue
• A dulled sense of taste and smell
• Delayed healing after a mouth wound or having a tooth extracted
• Difficulties in correcting crooked teeth or misaligned bites
• Gum disease, bone loss and tooth loss
• Oral cancer

Smokers are bound to have dental problems. And with every puff, the problems get worse. Even if you feel you can’t quit fully, at least try and reduce the amount you smoke.

• Anyone can get dental implants.

Fact: Not everyone require dental implants. For dental implants, it is important to have healthy bone tissue in the mouth for the implant. A qualified dentist can figure this out.

• Dental implants are painful.

Fact: Under local anesthesia, the patient undergoes a very comfortable procedure.

• Dental implant titanium causes migraine or headache.

Fact: There are no clinical studies which prove this. In addition to this, the headache felt after the procedure might be due to patients having TMJ disorder or opening mouth wide.

• Dental implants are ineffective.

Fact: Dental implants have history of over forty years. And, the researches show that dental implants have approximately 95% success rate.

• Dental implants are quite high-priced.

Fact: When you think about dental implants to restore your missing teeth, the initial investments provides huge benefits over a period of time compared to other treatment alternatives available.