Root Theraphy

At Occlura Dental , we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive care to help keep your teeth healthy and keep our patients at peak oral health. Some of the services provided by Occlura Dentistry include root therapy. This treatment helps save infected or harmed teeth from extraction, enabling a patient to preserve their natural smile.

What is Root Therapy?

Root therapy is a kind of dental treatment that aims to rid an infection from the center of a tooth. This mostly occurs after deep decay of the tooth, after repeated dental procedures, or due to a crack or chip in a tooth. Infected pulp may first be very painful and uncomfortable, then eventually lead to abscesses, and finally result in tooth loss if left untreated. Root therapy removes infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and then fills and seals the space to prevent further infection.

Signs You Might Need Root Therapy

There are various signs that indicate a need for root therapy. These include:

Severe Toothache: Persistent pain which doesn’t resolve can be an indication of pulp infection.
Sensitivity: Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
Swelling and Tenderness: Swelling of the gums surrounding the problem tooth.
Discoloration: Darkening of the tooth
Abscess: A pimple-like swelling of the gum beside the ailing tooth, indicating infection.

In the presence of such symptoms, it is important to consult a dentist for an examination.

The Procedure for Root Therapy

Generally, root therapy consists of the following procedures:

1. Diagnosis and Preparation

The dentist will first take an X-ray to determine the extent of the infection. He will also need to get the shape of the root canals. After this, a local anesthesia to make you comfortable during the treatment process will be administered.

2. Removal of the Infected Pulp

An access hole is drilled into the tooth to access the infected pulp. The dentist uses specialized instruments to remove the infected tissue and clean the root canals meticulously.

3. Cleaning and Disinfecting

The root canals need to be cleaned and disinfected after the removal of the infected pulp for the removal of residual bacteria. This step may help avoid future infection.

4. Filling and Sealing

The cleaned root canals are then filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. The access hole sealed with a temporary or permanent filling to prevent contamination.

5. Restoration

In most cases, a tooth that has undergone root therapy will require a crown so as to restore the strength and function of the tooth. The crown also helps to protect the tooth from further damage.

Benefits of Root Therapy

1. Pain Relief

Root therapy relieves the acute pain of a pulpal infection. This procedure reduces discomfort and thus provides an opportunity for healing by removing the source of infection.

2. Preservation of Natural Teeth

Being able to retain your natural tooth is one of the most important benefits of root therapy. Keeping natural teeth preserves proper chewing and good oral health.

3. Preventing Further Complications

The root therapy will prevent further infection from spilling over into areas of the mouth and jawbone, reducing the risk of more serious health concerns.

4. Aesthetic Restoration

Modern dental methodologies allow restoration of teeth even after root therapy has been carried out, rendering them much like your natural teeth. Crowns are color- and shape-crafted to blend into your existing teeth to give perfect appearances.
Aftercare Tips

Proper aftercare, especially after root therapy, can help assure successful healing and the longevity of the treated tooth. Some of the measures include:

Keeping Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Avoid Hard Foods: Until the final restoration of a treated tooth with a crown, do not chew hard foods.
Regular Dental Check-ups: Visit your dentist regularly to allow monitoring of the health of your teeth through check-ups and cleanings.