by sweerie_banana » 25 Mar 2023, 08:13 Hi, as you all know it’s been 5 months I’ve worked as a dentist assistant. It has been such a process learning the procedures, how to deal with clients, how to respond to clients who are angry with you. That I recently decided that I’m going to be writing an article based on the things I’ve been diligently learning at work, all around me.
Have you ever done a root canal? When was the last time you got your teeth checked? Are you scared like me? I actually haven’t had any procedure done on me yet but I can see some caries and cavities on my last tooth. I just don’t think I’m ready for a checkup.
When you come to our clinic you’re first asked if you’re in pain as me or my colleague escorts you to the dental unit where the dentist will come in, and check all your teeth before the one you’re complaining of so that you can have a breakdown of all the work that you will have to undergo to regain back healthy gums and teeth.
A root canal is a dental procedure that is performed to treat a damaged or infected tooth. The procedure involves removing the damaged or infected portion of the tooth, which is called the pulp, and cleaning out the root canal system.
The root canal system is a network of tiny canals in the tooth that contain nerve tissue and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected or damaged, it can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, swelling, and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
During a root canal procedure, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth and create a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp. They will then use specialized tools to remove the damaged or infected pulp and clean out the root canal system.
Once the root canal is cleaned and disinfected, the dentist will fill the root canal with a special material to prevent further infection and restore the tooth's structure. In some cases, a dental crown may also be placed over the tooth to provide additional protection.
A root canal is typically done when a tooth is severely damaged or infected and cannot be treated with other methods, such as a filling or a crown. It is a common procedure that can help save a damaged or infected tooth and prevent the need for extraction.
The root canal procedure typically involves the following steps:
1. Evaluation: The dentist will first evaluate the tooth to determine the extent of the damage or infection. They will take x-rays to get a better look at the tooth's root canals and assess the condition of the surrounding bone.
2. Anesthesia: The dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. This will help ensure that the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure.
3. Access: The dentist will create a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp and root canal system. This is usually done using a high speed and some burs usually the straight fissure and round bur.
4. Removal of Pulp: Using specialized tools, the dentist will carefully remove the damaged or infected pulp from the root canal system. They will also clean out any bacteria or debris from the canals.
5. The doctor usually uses some hand files and an endomotor with some EDTA gel to clean the pulp. We also use some hypochlorite.
6. Shaping: The dentist will use small files to shape and smooth the inside of the root canals to prepare them for filling.
7. Filling: The root canals are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, which seals the canals to prevent further infection.
8. Restoration: In many cases, a dental crown or other restoration will be placed over the treated tooth to provide additional support and protection.
The entire root canal procedure can take one or more visits depending on the severity of the damage or infection. We usually do a root canal within three stages, that’s 3 visits before we do the filling. After the procedure, the patient may experience some sensitivity or discomfort, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications and should resolve within a few days.
