Root Canal Treatment (RCT)

Root Canal Treatment (RCT) — also called endodontic therapy — is a dental procedure performed when dental caries invade the dental pulp and create infection (pulpitis). So to remove infection from the inside of a tooth, RCT is done and it also protects it from further damage of the tooth. Root canal treatment becomes necessary when bacteria invade the dental pulp due to deep tooth decay, cracks or fractures, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or gum disease leading to abscess formation. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone, resulting in severe pain or tooth loss. The procedure involves diagnosis with X-rays and local anesthesia, creating an access opening through the crown, cleaning and shaping the infected canals with disinfectants like sodium hypochlorite or chlorhexidine, filling the cleaned canals with gutta-percha and dental cement, and finally restoration with a dental crown or permanent filling. Recovery typically involves mild tenderness for 2-3 days, managed with over-the-counter painkillers, and patients should avoid chewing hard foods until the crown is placed.