Dental Caries and Root Canal treatment
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities. It is a breakdown of teeth due to acids made by bacteria. Dental caries need immediate attention as they can cause pain, infection and tooth loss.
A tooth coloured restoration is used to fill teeth that have had decay. The restoration is shaped and polished well to merge with the remaining natural tooth structure restoring the mouth back to its original function. Additionally, an inlay, onlay or crown may be advised if the loss of tooth structure is excessive.
If dental caries is not dealt with in its initial stages it progresses deeper into the tooth and affects the pulp which is the nerve supply of the tooth. The infection can further spread through the pulp to the underlying bone that can cause an abscess or cyst if the tooth remains untreated.
At this stage Root Canal Treatment, also known as endodontic treatment needs to be done. The infected region of the tooth (pulp) is removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped and filled with material. The success rate of a root canal is very high and the tooth maintains its function and position for life if maintained well. In most cases a crown is then placed on the treated tooth.
MYTH: A Root Canal Treatment is frightfully painful!!!
With the advances in techniques, technology and local Anesthetics, an RCT is as comfortable as a normal filling.