A root canal treatment often proves to be a hassle-free, long-lasting repair of a tooth, especially when conducted by a competent dentist, complete with the use of advanced equipment, which in this case is a microscope. If you too are experiencing tooth decay, or have an impending root canal treatment then read on to know and understand the basics of root canal treatment and how a microscopic treatment would be the best bet f
or you!
What Is Root Canal?
Root Canal is the pulp of the tooth that contains nerves and blood cells. The pulp may become infected due to certain reasons like tooth decay, chipping, or cracking. The nerves in the root canal, when infected, give the sensation of hot and cold temperatures. In some other cases, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth may also result in pulp inflammation or infection.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
As part of the Root Canal Treatment, first, the infected pulp is removed and then the hollow part of the tooth is filled with a sealant. After the process, the tooth is restored using fillings or a crown.
What the Reasons to Have Root Canal Treatment?
More often than not, the pulp of the teeth is enclosed and completely protected by the tooth enamel. However, in the case of tooth decay or crack/chip in the tooth, bacteria can infect the pulp chamber. This results in tooth infection and inflammation which is accompanied by toothache. This may also be characterised by symptoms such as discolouration of the tooth, swelling in the surrounding gum tissue, as well as sensitivity to hot or cold substances paving the need for a root canal treatment.
In some cases, none of these symptoms are visible or felt, and tooth decay can only be identified during a regular dental examination.
Either way, a timely root canal treatment might be the only way to retain your teeth; else it may have to be extracted.
Importance of Microscopic Root Canal Treatment
While some dentists use conventional means i.e. their knowledge and experience for root canal treatment, most contemporary dentists rely on the more sophisticated and accurate microscope for such treatments. The microscope helps the dentists to enjoy a better, more magnified view of the root canal which facilitates enhanced precision of the treatment.
There are multiple reasons which help us understand that importance of Microscopic Root Canal Treatment, some of which are as follows –
Enhanced Diagnosis
It is no hidden fact that some teeth may be placed such that they are tricky to see through the naked eye. Using a microscope can help magnify vision up to 25 times as compared to that of the naked eye, thereby enabling the dentist to better diagnose the problem and offer superior care to the patient.
Improved Visual Field
Like many other dental procedures, even the root canal takes place in a visual vacuum, making it not only difficult to perceive but also challenging to access. The operating microscope makes it exceedingly convenient for the dentist to actually see what they are treating. The improved visual fields created thanks to Dental Operating Microscopes (DOM) helps the clinician to reach narrow canals, locate cracks, identify micro-fractures, and determine hidden extra canals.
Illumination
The fibre optic video cameras and operating microscopes, not only offer magnification but also come with exceedingly advanced high-intensity lighting, thereby enabling dentists to enjoy a clearer, more illuminated vision which in turn proves to be instrumental in better diagnosis and prognosis of the infected tooth.
Better Clinical Outcomes
Now that we know the inherent benefits of a microscopic root canal treatment, and the accuracy it ensures, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that it improves clinical outcomes. Right from the pre-treatment assessment of fractures to the confirmation of debridement during treatment, the operating microscope brings in many-a-benefits for the dentists as well as the patients. In fact, the microscope is known to improve the success rate of the root canal treatment by as high as 90-95%.
Assistance in Re-Treatment
In some cases, a new injury or inflammation may lead to a slight infection in a previously treated tooth. This, in turn, might require a repeat endodontic procedure for the tooth, which is known as re-treating. To facilitate this retreatment the dentist needs to meticulously remove the crown and other filling material previously used in the tooth, which to say the least, is a complicated process. In such cases, the microscope comes in fairly handy to the dentist by facilitating greater accuracy in the procedure.
Renowned Endodontist & Implantologist Dr. Suvidh Virmani, swears by the immense benefits of this advanced technology. He states, “As far as endoscopic procedures such as Root Canal Treatments are concerned, microscopes have come to be an integral aspect of diagnostic and clinical purposes. Microscopic treatments have not only proved to be a boon for dentists by offering them a magnified, more illuminated view of the situation but have also proved to be instrumental in enhancing patient satisfaction by improving the overall treatment outcome.”
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Dr. Suvidh Virmani
BDS and Masters in Conservative dentistry and Endodontics
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