What is RCT treatment? – Root canal treatment explained

Root canal treatment, or RCT, is a popular routine dental procedure to relieve pain. There are many myths about the process, and the most common question in our clinical practice is: What is RCT treatment? If you have any myths regarding the treatment, or are just curious to know What is RCT treatment? 

Hold on and read the information provided below to know more about the procedure, indications, and aftercare – brought to you by Oris Smiles Dental Clinic.

What is RCT treatment?

Root Canal Treatment, or RCT, is a dental procedure to repair and save a tooth that is severely decayed, infected, or damaged. The term “root canal” refers to the space within the tooth where the pulp, nerves, and blood vessels are located. During RCT, the pulp and nerve are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed to prevent further infection or damage.

What is RCT treatment and why is it required?

Tooth Infection and Decay

One of the primary reasons for RCT is a severe infection or extensive decay deep within the tooth. Bacteria invading the pulp chamber can cause intense pain and discomfort. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues, leading to severe infection and tooth loss.

Fractured tooth

Trauma or injury to a tooth can damage the pulp or nerves. In such cases, RCT is necessary to repair the tooth and prevent infection. RCT, when done timely can save the fractured tooth from further damage.

Prevent Tooth Loss

Tooth extraction is often kept as a last resort. Root canal treatment is the procedure done to save the tooth and prevent tooth loss. Preserving the natural tooth is the priority of our clinicians at Oris Smiles Dental Clinic.

The RCT Procedure

Clinical examination

The first step in RCT treatment is a thorough examination and diagnosis. A customized treatment plan is formulated based on the clinical and radiological examination. 

Anesthesia

Before the procedure begins, we administer local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and the surrounding area. This ensures that you are comfortable throughout the procedure.

Access Opening

After anesthesia, we create a small access opening in the tooth’s crown to reach the pulp chamber and root canals. This allows us to remove the infected or damaged pulp tissue.

Cleaning

Special instruments are used to clean and shape the canals. We use antimicrobial medicaments to kill the bacteria inside the canals.

Sealing

 After thoroughly cleaning the canals, they are filled with a biocompatible material known as gutta-percha.  

Aftercare of RCT

Recovery from RCT treatment is immediate, with most patients experiencing relief from pain and discomfort instantly. 

It’s essential to follow proper aftercare instructions like:

• Avoid hard or crunchy foods immediately after the treatment
• Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily
• Attending follow-up appointments to keep an eye on the healing process
• After the root canal treatment, get your final prosthesis to prevent damage to the tooth. In some cases, dental restorations and sometimes dental crowns are advised to protect the tooth depending upon the remaining tooth structure.