Root Canal Treatment
Root Canal Treatment In Nairobi
A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat an infected or inflamed tooth. It involves removing the damaged or infected pulp from the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and filling it with a material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed with a filling or crown to prevent further infection. The procedure is typically done to save a damaged or infected tooth from extraction.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Tooth decay or cavities which are neglected for a long time or improper dental filling for previous small cavities and broken filling will result in progression of the non painful cavities to painful tooth ache, which are usually treated by root canal treatment. Root canal treatment is also called as RCT of dental teeth, RC treatment, RCT treatments. Root canal treatment cost/ charges completely depend upon severity of the infection. Completely finished root canal treatment should always be followed with dental cap/ crown. If not, it might lead to re-infection in root canal treated teeth this then should be treated with a procedure called as re -root canal/ re-RCT to save the tooth and extending the life of the tooth without removal of the tooth.
With the first incidence of pain, root canal treatment will give a better result to retain the teeth for a longer period of time and prevent the infection from spreading further.
Understanding the structure of a tooth
Let’s learn about the structure of the tooth so that we can comprehend root canal therapy better:
A tooth consists of three layers:
- Enamel (hardest tissue)
- Dentine (less harder than enamel)
- Pulp (innermost layer, contains nerves and blood vessels)
If the decay just affects the first two layers of the tooth, filling or restorations can treat it. An RCT or Endodontic treatment is required in the event that the tooth decay extends to the third layer and results in pulp inflammation or infection.
Who needs Root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is done to relieve the pain and clear infections involving the pulp tissues.
Toothache or pain occurs when there is a tooth infection brought on by decay, trauma, and Gum diseases. This ranges from mild to severe. As you ignore it, it gets worse.
The clearest of severe infection involving the pulp tissues is severe pain not relieved for long by pain killers (irreversible pulpitis). This pain is worst at night/ when you go to sleep. You may also have a swelling of the jaw next to the decayed tooth.
Root canal treatment procedure
- Step 1: To determine the extent of inflammation and tooth decay, we may perform one or two X-rays.
- Step 2: The dentist anaesthetizes the tooth of interest and the surrounding area.
- Step 3: The root canals and pulp chamber are cleaned using instruments. Cleaning and disinfecting the canals involves using antibacterial and antiseptic solutions. This gets rid of the bacteria and treats the canal infection.
- Step 4: Next, the pulp canals are shaped using rotary instruments so that they will be ready to receive the filling material.
- Step 5: The pulp canals are filled using a rubber-like material called gutta-percha which is compressed against the canal walls, so it fits snuggly and avoids the entry of microorganisms.
- Step 6: The treated tooth is enclosed with a dental crown, which provides additional strength and stability. The permanent crown is made to look exactly like the natural teeth.
Consequences of not doing a root canal treatment
The infection may spread into gums and jaw bone and lead to pus filled abscess formation. Severe health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke, may also result from this.
Post root canal treatment protocol
- After the procedure, you will experience some pain and discomfort. So our dentist will recommend medication.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, hot drinks, drinking with straws. These promote inflammation.
- Brush and floss normally, it’s important to keep the area clean.
- If you experience any complications, urgently reach out to out front desk.
Root Canal Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
No, root canal treatment is not painful, as it is carried out under anesthesia. The patient may feel a little discomfort after the procedure, which can be taken care of by following the prescription.
Root canal treatment of a front tooth stats from Ksh. 35,000 while a molar tooth is charged from Ksh. 50,000 in a premium dental clinic in Nairobi.
Dental Care does not recommend self-medication for dental conditions. You can call our dental office for a quick consultation so that the appropriate treatment is provided to you. If it is not possible to visit our clinic, a strong pain killer like Paracetamol may help alleviate pain before you can get to Summit Dental Care. When the pain is not relieved by pain killers and is worse at night, this is a cardinal sign that the root canal is infected and an RCT may be the best solution.