The term Root Canal treatment or RCT refers to a dental treatment meant to save a decaying or badly broken tooth which otherwise would have to be removed if left untreated.
If left unattended the infection might further spread to the surrounding tissues like the gums and the bone, causing severe pain and damage to the otherwise healthy tissues.
The treatment of the root canal treatment might involve two or more visits to the dentist.
The procedure of the root canal treatment involves the following series:
- In the first step an X-ray is taken to check the shape of the root canal and to determine the extent of infection.
- Local anesthesia is used to numb the area near the tooth.
- A cavity is prepared into the tooth and the infection is removed from the tooth and the root canal is thoroughly cleaned.
- Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed.
- In some cases the dentist waits for a week before sealing the tooth. They wait to check the chances of any further infection which is then treated through medication.
- Finally the tooth is restored with a full crown.