Root canal treatment??....Can that be avoided….A simplified approach.

Teeth are the hardest part of our body. Significantly, teeth plays a role in chewing (old concept), while the newer concept says that they helps to sense, feel the food which is missing in artificial teeth and essence of teeth is in defining the individual’s personality. Presently, cosmetic and esthetic factor is one of the most prime factors in defining the health of oral cavity.

Building blocks for teeth are calcium and phosphorous, which are prone to dissolve under acid, formed during the fermentation of stuck up food. Tooth has layered pattern, ‘enamel’ on the top followed by ‘dentin’ and the deepest part being the ‘pulp’. Pulp is a type of tissue with rich supply of blood and nerves. Function of pulp is creating hard tissue of tooth during development, however once tooth is fully matured it can survive without pulp as then tooth continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissues.

Natural tooth when exposed to prolonged acid attack from dietary sources and stuck up food, there is dissolution of tooth and cavities are formed. It’s recommended to get those cavities filled up as early as possible to avoid large destruction of tooth.

Stage I- In case of gross destruction of tooth the pulp gets infected with bacteria and all different types of microbes and the oral food taken has the potential role in increasing inflammation.

Symptom –pain /sensitivity but not continuous

Stage II- Inflamed pulp with due course of time gets dead and necrotized and pus/abscess is formed.

Symptom – severe uncontrollable pain with sleepless nights, swelling, if still unattended, fever too.

So from here doctor is left with 2 options

1. Tooth extraction – tooth is lost and requires artificial replacement

2. Root canal treatment/therapy – natural tooth is preserved in an uninfected state- Best option to select from patient’s aspect.

Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:

·         Efficient chewing

·         Normal biting force and sensation

·         Natural appearance

·         Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain 

Prevention

Initially in a usual course, when tooth erupts, its free from defects like cavity, but it requires time to mature so that it can be resistant to acid attack from different dietary sources. Few easiest ways to get rid of all this mess

Diet modification – prevent frequent exposure to sweet food and beverages, have your favorite sweets in a single go to your heart’s content.

Fluoride application—the easiest way to prevent and stop the caries process

Dental sealants – blocks some of the deep pits and grooves in tooth this no chances of food stuck up.

Professional cleaning/scaling

Dental sealant - A Caries Fighter

Dental caries should be managed as an infectious disease by assessing risk factors; avoiding operative intervention as far as possible. 

The chewing surfaces of the teeth have tiny grooves, known as fissures where food can get stuck and where it is hard to clean. Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrushes can't reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract all food and plaque. While fluoride helps prevent decay and helps protect all the surfaces of the teeth, dental sealants add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas. 

Sealants act like raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth—just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm. The decay will not spread, because it is sealed off from its food and germ supply.

 

There are several benefits to using sealants, including that they:

·         take a few minutes to apply

·         do not cause pain

·         do not need injections

·         do not need to be drilled

·         do not dissolve in saliva and are safe.

Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.

Dental sealants are a quick, easy, and relatively cheap (as opposed to the dentist bills you’ll accumulate for root canals) solution for preventing cavities.  Kids are notoriously bad brushers and tend to ignore the problem areas in the back of the mouth that lead to cavities and decay, making them ideal recipient for sealants. Dental sealants can be clear, white or have a slight tint depending upon the dental sealant used. Dental sealants can last many years. If necessary, it is also possible to place a new dental sealant on the tooth. Dental sealants only protect the surface area that they are placed on. Sealants can also be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to your tooth.