Everything You Need to Know About Root Canal Treatment (RCT)

Have you been told by your dentist that you need a root canal? There's no need to be concerned. It's not a major issue. Really!

What is the purpose of an RCT?

Let's begin by determining why a root canal treatment is required. 

There are three layers to each of our teeth.

• Enamel (outermost layer)
• Dentin (next inner layer)
• Pulp (innermost part)

Sensitivity or pain may or may not be caused by a tiny cavity in the enamel or dentin. However, because it is related to nerves and blood vessels, the pulp is the most sensitive component of the tooth (veins and arteries). When the pulp is exposed to the outside environment, whether by decay or injury, you are likely to experience excruciating agony. This is when a Root Canal Treatment is necessary to save your tooth. Without having to extract the tooth, RCT can fully relieve the pain.

RCT symptoms include

• Persistent tooth pain that radiates to your jaw, other teeth or face.
•  Sensitivity to cold and hot food and drinks.
• Boil or pimple formation on the gums through which pus emanates. 
• Tooth discoloration wherein the tooth appears darker due to poor blood supply.
• Cracked or chipped teeth can make you susceptible to bacterial infection.
• Swollen jaw due to pus accumulation that has not been drained out.
• An infected tooth that is generating pus can damage the bone supporting the tooth and make it feel looser and make it seem as if it were going to fall out.

Note: that tooth extraction is another alternative that may be less expensive in terms of both money and time. However, you should not be persuaded to go down that path. Tooth extraction is not suggested since it can cause varied degrees of damage to the alignment of the entire arch (jaw), depending on the position of the tooth being pulled, and in the long run, it can impact your ability to eat.

RCT procedure

The following is a description of the root canal therapy procedure:

Cleaning

The diseased pulp is removed using manual or mechanised files during the 'Cleaning' process. To prevent infection recurrence, the inner walls of the dentin are cleaned and filled with antiseptics. Depending on the health of your tooth, your pain tolerance, and your availability, your dentist may accomplish this process in a single marathon appointment or over several appointments.

Cleaning the diseased pulp and eliminating cavities, for example, may take some time. As a result, the patient must exercise patience rather than panic.

Note: Patients are sometimes relieved of pain at this point and are tempted to stop therapy, possibly to save money and time or out of ignorance. An inadequate treatment, on the other hand, might leave the tooth vulnerable to infection recurrence or even breaking due to a lack of strength.

Shaping

The root canal is prepped for root canal filling using files in this activity.

Filling

The root canal is filled with artificial materials like as gutta-percha, etc. during this stage. The tooth's hollowness, which diminishes its compressive strength and renders it mechanically weak, is then filled to restore its compressive strength.

Note: At this point, the patient's pain has fully subsided and he or she is able to chew normally. However, the tooth may not be able to endure greater chewing forces and may break. Many patients are unaware of this and opt to stop therapy in order to save time or money on the crown.

Gutta percha is frequently combined with a sealer to create a fluid-tight seal within root canal fillings.

Restoration of  the tooth

An artificial crown is used to restore a tooth, which is designed using castings. Crowns are normally constructed by specialist labs and can be made from a variety of materials, including ceramics and other materials, according on your preferences and budget. When the crown is finished, it is permanently adhered to the tooth with permanent adhesives. The crown is vital not just from an aesthetic standpoint, but also for protecting the tooth from chewing pressures.

Post treatment care

RCT is classified as a minor surgical operation in most cases. Depending on the health of your tooth, your pain threshold, and your immunity, you may also be prescribed medicines and antibiotics in addition to local anaesthesia (during the operation in the clinic). When anaesthetic is administered, the jaw is likely to be numb for 3-4 hours, following which the anaesthetic effect is expected to progressively fade. Your dentist should be able to help you with this.

Overall, if you cooperate totally with your dentist, follow the recommendations and given drugs, and keep track of your appointments, RCT may be a very straightforward and peaceful experience.

Key Points to remember:

• Maintain a positive attitude towards preserving your damaged tooth.
• Sincerely follow the instructions of your dentist.
• Strictly follow the appointment schedule.
• Be ready to pay for the RCT, as the opportunity cost of losing your teeth would be way higher in the long run.
• Your teeth would be your best friends in your old age. Lack of teeth will make old age difficult, extremely difficult!

What to Eat and Not to Eat After RCT

One of the most crucial components of any dental procedure, especially a root canal surgery, is knowing what to eat and what not to eat in the days after the procedure. Food is a requirement for survival and function. Without sufficient daily nutrition, one will be unable to complete duties and may possibly become unwell. However, before food can enter into your digestive system, it must first be eaten in the mouth with your teeth. So, how do you eat regularly when your teeth hurt, and what should you eat to avoid further pain and infection?

To Eat

 When eating, choose soft foods that aren't too hot, as this can create tooth sensitivity, and chew on the side of your mouth that hasn't been treated. During this time, you might want to consider the following foods/dishes:

• Fruit smoothies
• Protein shakes 
• Mangoes
• Bananas
• Eggs
• Oatmeal
• Tuna salad
• Paneer
• Pancake
• Pudding
• Lentil soup

To Avoid

To avoid harming your teeth and raising your chances of getting an infection, avoid the foods listed below.

• Avoid spicy and hot drinks like tea and coffee which can give rise to tooth sensitivity
• Do not drink alcohol during this time as it can induce bleeding 
• Hard and difficult to chew foods such as nuts and meat should be avoided
• Gum, taffy, bread, nougat or candy can damage the temporary filling 
• Crunchy food like apples, corn, carrots can cause pain. The skin of apples and corn pellets can even get stuck in your teeth and cause an infection

To summarize, RCT is required to extend the life of a tooth that has been damaged. A root canal procedure in India costs between INR 3000 and INR 7000 on average, depending on the city, the clinic/hospital, and the dentist's location. A cheerful attitude, tolerance with the procedure, discipline, and faith in the dentist are all required for a successful RCT.

Happy Chewing!