Have you recently suffered from a dental problem - tooth decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack or chip in the tooth or an accident that may have impacted the face? Then you may need a root canal! Root canal treatment is needed when an injury or a large cavity damages the tooth's root and the root becomes infected or inflamed. In such a situation the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected. It is then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material. Once this is done, the treated tooth is restored with a crown or filling for protection. After restoration, the tooth continues to function normally. Given below are the steps that will help you understand the procedure better:

• Local anaesthesia is administered to numb the tooth to be treated and the surrounding tissues.
• The dentist will insert a dental dam to isolate the infected tooth from the rest of mouth to facilitate root canal treatment.
• A small access hole is drilled through, allowing access to the pulp chamber and root canals for treatment.
• The diseased and dead pulp tissue is removed from the tooth with specially designed instruments used to clean out the root canals and pulp chamber.
• The canals are disinfected with antiseptic and antibacterial solutions.
• Root canal fillings are selected such that will fit exactly into the freshly prepared canals. Sealing the canals is critically important to prevent them from becoming re-infected with bacteria.
• A filling material will then be placed to seal the access hole that was made to treat the canals, and the dental dam is removed.
• After the procedure, an antibiotic may be prescribed to treat or prevent infection.
• You will then need to get a permanent filling or a crown to replace lost tooth structure, and provide a complete seal to the top of the tooth.

To avoid a serious problem, always keep a look out for some signs that may indicate that you could require a root canal treatment. The symptoms are as follows:

• Swelling and tenderness in gums that may also spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head
• A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
• Severe toothache upon chewing
• Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Discoloration of the tooth
• Bone loss around the tip of the root

A regular visit to your doctor to avoid dental problems is a must. You should also use India’s best toothpaste - Meswak if you wish to maintain your oral health. Maintain proper oral hygiene and choose the right toothpaste to keep all dental problems away & ensure proper dental care.