Root Canal Therapy

ROOT CANALS DONE DIFFERENTLY ! PAIN FREE DENTISTRY

Why DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL ? :

If a tooth is decayed or cracked, it is overly susceptible to a level of infection that can cause its loss. The first layer of a tooth is the enamel. One of the strongest structures in nature. Once enamel is penetrated by bacterial decay or a stress induced crack we enter into the second layer called dentin. This layer is a continuation of the pulp. It is much less strong than enamel. Decay can spread in dentin fairly rapidy and involve the nerve tissue at the core of the tooth. In most cases the ensuing sensitivity makes the patient aware. In many cases this does not happen and the serious consequence of an advanced infections called abscess takes place before the patient gets awareness of a harmful condition.

In order to prevent infection, or in more serious cases to rid the tooth of an existing infection, endodontic therapy – also known as root canal treatment/ surgery becomes a necessary option for our patients.

Many people think that getting a root canal entails the “removal of roots” or ” killing the nerve”. The former is not the case while the latter is a scientifically incomplete concept. Each tooth contains three or four main root canals, which are located within each root. Recent Understanding of dental root anatomy reveal the presence of a web of additional and accessory canals. These canals are filled with pulp which is blood vessels and nerves. When this pulp decays and becomes infected, or is close to it treatment is required to save the tooth.

In a root canal procedures the root canal/s are accessed and the infected pulp is removed by using a set of progressively enlarging instruments called files. Each root canal space is enlarged to its length to a tapered funnel form. Like most top practices in the country we believe in using a brand new set of files for each case. We discard the files which have been used on a patient. The enlarged root canal space is filled with a Bio Ceramic sealer and a special rubber material called gutta percha. We require a 3 to 4 xrays through out the procedure. The xrays are digital and impart 90 percent less radiation. This filling is sealed and now the tooth is ready to get restored.In hands of skill a root canal procedure is routine and takes an hour on the average. Some procedures are more exacting than others.

HOW DO WE MAKE ROOT CANALS PAINLESS? : “VICTORY LOVES PREPARATION”

Routinely and easily. By utilizing supreme hand skills and our knowledge of medicine we plan our procedures in a manner tailored to the patient’s physical comfort by assuring a pain free encounter during and after the procedure. Two to three days prior to the procedure we start the patient on strong anti inflammatory drugs with an antibiotic. These drugs pre prepare the patient before they come in for their appoitment. Simply stated We intervene the cascade of chemical events which cause the pain cycle.

In certain cases we may decide use sedative drugs also. This is done for anxious , fearful patients. This also inculdes the category of patients who have a history of not getting numb with the dental injection techniques by themselves. These determinations can only be made after careful examination of the patient. Patients’s individual medical and dental history are the primary basis for decision making.

Our special numbing techniques allow the patient to be injected without realizing it. We know how to decieve the sensitive nerves in the mouth and deliver a super comfortable shot. We then WAIT !! We never ever want to rush into the procedure and for good reason. Skin gets numb first then its the bone and the tooth last. The tooth most often is draped by a protective rubber screen called a rubber dam. This enhances patient safety and operator efficiency. The tooth under treatment is isolated. The tongue, cheek and saliva do not hinder the procedure and the cleansing fluids used inside the tooth do not get spilled into the mouth.

The canals are accessed, enlarged and rinsed well. The fit check xray with the gutta percha. The tooth is dried and the canals get filled with the gutta percha and the Bio Ceramic sealer. A final xray is taken and the patient is ready for the next phase which is restoring the tooth. Which means that we have to provide the hollow tooth to have structural support to function under the loads of chewing.

Before and After X-rays of Endondontic Therapy performed by Dr. Malik

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