Medical News

If you have been around dentists offices or have friends that have needed dental work then you are probably familiar with that dreaded term root canal. We are going to look into information about root canals. What they are and who needs them.

Root canals are not something new to modern society. Many years ago in ancient civilizations this method of removing the infection and the root was used to save teeth that might have been lost. Of course back then only the richest were offered such treatments. Kings, Pharaohs, Queens and high society could afford it. The common populace or the peasant’s teeth were normally pulled and sold to the aristocrats.

It was in the 1700s when Pierre Fauchard, the father of modern dentistry, disproved an ancient belief that the throbbing pain of a toothache was caused by a worm, more exactly a toothworm. It was believed that if the toothworm was moving you had pain, if it was not moving you had no pain. One of the many treatments to kill the worm off was for a person with tooth pain to soak his mouth in his own urine. Fauchard extracted many pulps to ease the pain of toothaches and looked at them under the microscope. He then proclaimed he had never seen a toothworm.

Root canal surgery has come a long way since the days of old and yet there are still widely held misconceptions. One common belief is that if a tooth is badly infected, the best treatment is often to have it pulled. Another is that a tooth with a root canal done on it will never be strong and will always cause problems. Today however dentists believe that we should hold onto our own teeth and that they can never be duplicated.

Basically a root canal is known as an endodontic treatment and you will have to see an endodontist to have it done as most general dentists do not do them in their offices anymore. It has become more specialized over the years. It is a dental treatment in which the infected, diseased or damaged pulp of the tooth (pulp is the living part) is removed and the inside area is then filled up and sealed.

Root canal procedure

The dentist numbs the area and then drills a hole into the tooth. Using various tools and equipment he will go inside the tooth and scrap away the dead pulp and the nerves. It is a very time consuming procedure but is very effective. The procedure itself can last up to three hours and is the only way to stop the pulp from dying further and to save the tooth.

People are learning the importance of holding onto their own teeth and they are more apt to go through a root canal than not. Since it is decay of the pulp being the main reason for the tooth dying, people are being taught that a root canal can now safely save the tooth and with little pain. The tooth either has to be pulled or a root canal done if the pulp is infected for the decay will go into the root tip and then to the jawbone and if the jawbone gets infected it can lead to the death.

Dental implants have come a long way since the Mayans implanted pieces of shell, shaped into teeth, into the sockets of missing teeth 1300 years ago. Today Dental Implantology has evolved into one of the most sought after treatments for missing teeth. Replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant is a relatively painless procedure providing the next best result, both aesthetically and functionally, to natural teeth.

What are the steps involved in getting an implant?

The first step towards getting an implant involves setting an appointment with your nearest trained restorative dentist. He/she will conduct a complete oral examination along with a detailed medical history to evaluate whether you are an eligible candidate to undergo implant surgery. For example, certain dental/medical conditions like Hyperparathyroidism, recent radiation therapy, certain cardiac problems, blood disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, bruxism, etc. may preclude you for surgery. Radiographs including conventional X-rays and CT scans may be needed, depending on the case.

The next step entails arriving at a treatment plan with your restorative dentist. The type of implant will vary, depending on your treatment needs and your present oral condition. The most commonly used implant type is the Endosteal or Root form Implant. As the name suggests, this implant is shaped like the root of a tooth and is placed within the bone directly. Other types include Subperiosteal, Transosteal, Plate-form, Intra-mucosal etc. Dental Implants are made from commercially pure titanium.

There are many methods of placing Root form implants after extraction of a tooth.

1. Immediate post-extraction implant placement.

2. Delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement (2 weeks -3 months after extraction).

3. Late implantation (3 months after extraction).

Dental Implants can be classified into Immediate loading, Early loading and Delayed loading depending on the timing of placement of load on the implant.

Steps involved in the placement of a Single tooth Endosteal, Late implantation, and Delayed loading Implant system include:

Implant Surgery Phase (Couple of hours)

• Generally you will be administered local anesthesia to numb the area of the surgery. The surgery may also be done under general anesthesia, conscious sedation or Nitrous Oxide sedation.

• The gum tissue in the area of the missing tooth will be removed to expose the bone where the implant will be placed.

• An instrument will be used to prepare the bone to receive the implant.

• When the bone has been adequately prepared, the implant can be placed.

• When the implant has been fully inserted into the prepared cavity, the gum is sutured back in place to enclose the implant within the tissue.

Healing Phase (3-6 months)

• During this phase the gum heals over the implant and bone forms around the implant, fusing with the implant (Osseo integration). You may experience mild discomfort and tenderness in the area for a few days. You can expect to be prescribed pain management medication and antibiotics for the first few days. Sutures are removed within 7-14 days.

Restorative Phase (Around 2 months)

• When the implant is ready to be uncovered, the gum tissue over the implant is opened and a healing collar is placed. This collar allows the gum to form around the new implant in a natural form. After 2 weeks, this collar is removed.

• The healing collar is then replaced with a post to support the new dental crown.

• Impressions are taken. Later, a temporary crown is fabricated. The dentist will place a permanent crown once he is completely satisfied with the healing.

The duration of treatment given is an estimation as each person reacts differently to treatments. Contact your dentist for further information.