रूट कॅनल उपचार पद्धतीचा सल्ला केव्हा दिला जातो :- दाताच्या आतील  अशा या अत्यंत नाजुक परंतु दाताच्या आरोग्यात महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका  बजावणा-या पल्पला काही कारणामुळे इजा पोहोचल्यास, त्यास संसर्ग झाल्यास दंत  तज्ज्ञ रूट कॅनल उपचार पद्धतीचा सल्ला देतात.  

 पल्पला इजा पोहोचल्यास नेमके काय होते :- दातांना कीड लागल्यामुळे  पल्पला इजा पोहोचण्याचे सर्वाधिक वेळा आढळून येणारे कारण आहे. त्या  व्यतिरिक्त दाताला फ्रॅक्चर झाल्यामुळे वा जोरदार मार लागल्यामुळे पल्पला  इजा पोहोचते. दातांना बहुदा एनॅमलपासून व क्वचितच मूळ उघडे पडलेल्या  सिमेंटमपासून कीड लागण्यास सुरुवात होते. पुढे ही कीड डेन्टिपर्यंत पुढे  सरकते व नंतर मांसल पल्पपर्यंत पोहोचते. दातांच्या किडेला कारणीभूत  असलेल्या जीवाणूंमुळे मग या पल्पला सूज येते, त्यात पल्पची निर्मिती होते.  पल्पचा हा संसर्ग दातांच्या मुळाच्या खालपर्यंत पोहोचतो. तिथून त्यांची  व्याप्ती जबड्याच्या हाडापर्यंत पोहोचून अस्थिमज्जाशोथ (ऑस्टेमॉयलीटीस) होऊ  शकतो. कधीकधी ही सूज व संसर्ग तोंडाच्या सर्वत्र पसरतो व मानेपर्यंत  त्याची व्याप्ती वाढू शकते. क्वचितप्रसंगी मुळाच्या टोकापर्यंत पोहोचलेले  जीवाणू, रक्तावाटे हृदयापर्यंत वा मेंदूपर्यंत जाऊ शकतात व सामान्य  वाटणा-या दुखण्याचे जीवघेण्या दुखण्यात रूपांतर होऊ शकते. रूट कॅनल उपचार  पद्धतीने समस्या टाळता येतात.  

 रूट कॅनल ट्रिटमेंटच्या नेमक्या पाय-या कोणत्या - सर्वप्रथम तज्ज्ञ  दाताच्या (क्राऊन) या भागातून यंत्राद्वारे छिद्र करतात व त्या छिद्रातून  पल्पपर्यंत मार्ग काढतात. फाइल, रिमर, ब्रोश इत्यादी लहान लहान उपकरणाच्या  साहाय्याने संसर्गजन्य पल्प काढून टाकतात. याच उपकरणांची मदत घेऊन तसेच  सिरिंजच्या मदतीने हायड्रोजन पॅराक्साइड या द्रव्याचा व सलाइन द्रव्याचा  जोरदार फवारा या रूट कॅनलमध्ये सोडून त्यातील पल्स, रक्त व इतर संसर्गजन्य  घटक काढून टाकल्या जातात. त्यानंतर या व इतर काही उपकरणांचा उपयोग करून रूट  कॅनलचे सर्व पृष्ठभाग घासून मऊ केले जातात, त्यांचा आकार मोठा केला जातो.  त्यामुळे भरण शास्त्रशुद्ध व सोयीस्कररीत्या भरता येऊ शकते. या दरम्यान रूट  कॅनलमध्ये एक दोन दिवसासाठी काही औषधे प्रत्यक्ष ठेवली जातात लावली जातात  त्यांच्याद्वारे पल्पविना मोकळ्या जागेत रूट कॅनल निर्जंतूक केले जाते.
कधी  कधी दातांचे डॉक्टर या रूट कॅनलला उघडेच ठेवतात. त्यामुळे उरल्या सुरल्या  पल्सला लवकरात लवकर दाताबाहेर पडण्यास मार्ग मिळतो. इतर काही वेळेला  दंततज्ज्ञ त्यात तात्पुरते भरण वा कापूस भरून ठेवतात. या दरम्यान डॉक्टर  रुग्णाला बरेचदा प्रतिजैविक व वेदनाशामक औषधे देतात. यानंतर दातांच्या  डॉक्टरांची एकदा का खात्री पटली की रूट कॅनल पूर्णत: निर्जंतूक झाले आहेत व  त्यानंतर कॅनलमध्ये गटा पर्चा नामक पदार्थाचे भरण दातात भरल्या जाते. नंतर  दोन तीन दिवस प्रतीक्षा केल्यानंतर या गटा पर्चाच्या भरणावर दंत तज्ज्ञ  चांदीचे किंवा कंपोझिट रेझीन या पदार्थाचे भरण भरतात. बरेचदा ही पूर्ण  उपचार पद्धती आटोपल्यानंतर जर आपल्या दाताचा खूप भाग तुटला असेल तर त्यावर  रेझीन, पोर्सलिन वा जपानी गोल्ड (अमेरिकन डायमंड ज्वेलरीच्याच दर्जाची)  टोपी त्यावर बसवली जाते. अशा प्रकारे रूट कॅनल ट्रिटमेंट पूर्ण होते. या  उपचार पद्धतीने वाचवलेला दात इतर व्याधीरहित नैसर्गिक दातांप्रमाणे  आयुष्यभरासाठी साथसंगत करू शकतो. थोडक्यात रूट कॅनल ट्रिटमेंट ही एक उत्तम  दंतउपचार पद्धती आहे. 

 रूट कॅनल उपचारादरम्यान काय केले जाते - रूट कॅनल उपचार  पद्धतीद्वारे दंततज्ज्ञ संसर्ग झालेल्या पल्पला काढून टाकतात व तिथल्या  मोकळ्या झालेल्या पल्प चेंबर व रूट कॅनलला स्वच्छ व निर्जंतूक करतात.  त्यानंतर त्या जागेला पूर्णत: कोरडे करून त्यात गटा पर्चा नामक पदार्थाचे  भरण भरल्या जाते. या संपूर्ण उपचारासाठी रुग्णाला एक ते तीन चार वेळा  तज्ज्ञाकडे उपचारासाठी जावे लागते.
 

Root canal treatment — also called endodontics (“endo” – inside,  “dont” – tooth) — is a set of specialized procedures designed to treat  problems of the soft pulp tissue inside the tooth, which contains nerves  and blood vessels. While some mistakenly think of it as an unusually  painful treatment, in most cases the procedure is no more uncomfortable  than getting a filling. It's actually one of the most effective ways of relieving some kinds of tooth pain.

A root canal procedure becomes necessary when infection or  inflammation develops in the pulp tissue of the tooth. Pulp tissue  consists of blood vessels, connective tissue and nerve cells — which  explains why a problem here may cause you to feel intense pain. In time,  the pain may go away... at least temporarily. Without treatment,  however, the infection won't. It can lead to a dental abscess, and may  even contribute to systemic problems in other parts of the body.

We've all heard the gag: “I'd rather have a root canal...” This  comedy line, comparing the procedure to something truly undesirable, may  be funny — but putting off needed endodontic treatment is no joke. The  idea that a root canal procedure invariably comes with complications and  pain is a shopworn myth. It's certainly true that infection or  inflammation in the tooth's pulp can be excruciatingly painful. But you  should remember that having a root canal results in eliminating this  acute pain and is not the cause of the pain.

Need another reason not to delay root canal treatment? How about  this: A natural tooth that's saved via root canal treatment and  restoration helps you avoid the problems that commonly occur when teeth  must be removed. These include unwanted tooth migration or shifting,  which can lead to difficulties in chewing; the need for bridgework or  dental implants, which may be costly and complicated; and even the  eventual loss of bone structure from the area of the missing tooth.

Root canal problems stem from infection and inflammation of the  tooth's pulp tissue. One potential cause of infection is deep tooth  decay. Untreated dental cavities eventually allow bacteria to work their  way down to the center of the tooth, where they may infect the pulp  tissue. Another path by which bacteria may come into contact with pulp  is via chipped or cracked teeth. Any opening in the protective enamel  coating has the potential to allow bacteria access to the tooth's pulp.

Trauma to the tooth — the kind that might result from a sports injury  or automobile accident, for example — is also a major cause of pulp  tissue damage. In this case, it's essential to seek treatment  immediately, both to try and save the tooth, and to prevent future  problems.

In some cases, extensive dental work itself may cause damage to the  pulp tissue that will need to be treated via a root canal. Having  multiple fillings or restorations on the same tooth increases the  chances of this type of injury. Occasionally, common procedures like  crown preparation or orthodontics may eventually lead to root canal  problems.

If an examination shows that you do need root canal therapy, don't  worry — it's one of the most routine and effective procedures in the  arsenal of dental treatments and can often be accomplished in just one  visit.

The root canal process generally begins the same way as a filling  does, and with no greater discomfort: an anesthetic is administered to  numb the tooth and the surrounding area. For many patients, the worst is  already over.

Next, a small opening is made in the surface of the affected tooth to  give access to the pulp chamber and root canals. Tiny instruments are  used, sometimes with the aid of a microscope, to remove the dead and  dying pulp tissue from inside these narrow passageways. The chamber and  empty canals are then cleaned, disinfected, and prepared to receive a  filling of inert, biocompatible material. Finally, adhesive cement is  used to seal the opening in the tooth, preventing future infection.

Following root canal treatment, your tooth may feel some sensitivity  or tenderness for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like  ibuprofen are generally effective in relieving discomfort, but  prescription medications may also be given if needed. During this  period, it may help to avoid biting hard on the affected tooth. All of  these symptoms, however, should be temporary.

To further protect the tooth and restore it to full function, it's  usually necessary to have a crown or other restoration placed on it.  Restorations can take many forms, from traditional gold crowns to tooth  replicas made of high-tech tooth-colored material. In any case, you will  have made an investment in preserving your dental health for years to  come.

How do you know when you need a root canal? Sometimes, it's painfully  obvious. If you feel constant and severe pain and pressure in your  mouth, or noticeable swelling and extreme sensitivity in your gums, then  it's clear you need an evaluation and treatment right away. Another  telltale symptom of pulp tissue damage is sharp pain when you bite down  on food. Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods is also an  indication of potential trouble. If you notice any of these symptoms,  you need to have an examination as soon as possible.

If you have been told you need root canal treatment, you may be  feeling a bit nervous. Not to worry — treating root canal problems is a  routine part of dentistry that can relieve certain kinds of tooth pain  and help your teeth last longer. As you learn more about this beneficial  procedure, you will understand why it's needed — and how it will leave  you in far better shape than you were. Here are some answers to  frequently asked questions.

Dentists use the term “root canal” in referring to the tiny, narrow  passageways that branch from a central, hollow space in your tooth  (called the pulp chamber) down to the ends of the tooth roots. The term  can also be used as a shorthand for “root canal treatment” — that is,  the procedure used to save the tooth if the soft tissue deep inside of  it (called pulp) becomes acutely inflamed or infected.

If tooth pulp becomes acutely inflamed or infected — because of decay  or injury for example — the tissue will need to be removed in order to  save the tooth and stop the infection from spreading. As an adult, you  don't actually need the pulp — its primary use is to aid in tooth  development during childhood.

You could have the whole tooth extracted, but it's always better to  try to save it — especially since root canal treatment is routine and  has a very high success rate (over 90%). Saving the tooth can prevent  other troubles from occurring later on; these could include bite  problems from teeth shifting position, difficulty eating, and loss of  jawbone volume and density.

The procedure normally causes no more discomfort that a filling  would. Root canal treatment may have a bad reputation, but it is  undeserved; in this case it's the disease that's to blame and not the  cure. In other words, the infections that make the treatment necessary  in the first place are often painful because they are inflaming tissue  that has lots of nerves and therefore is very sensitive. Root canal  treatment actually relieves this pain!

After numbing the area, a tiny hole is made in your tooth to access  the pulp chamber and canals. The diseased tissue is removed, and the  pulp chamber and the canal(s) are disinfected all the way to the root  end(s). Teeth in the front of the mouth have one root and generally one  canal; back teeth have two or three roots and generally three or four  canals. Those canals and the pulp chamber are filled with an inert,  biocompatible material, and sealed with adhesive cement. The access hole  will receive a temporary filling.

Your tooth may feel sensitive for a few days, but any discomfort can  usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication or  anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. You will be instructed to avoid  chewing on that tooth until it receives its permanent filling, which can  be placed a few days later. Depending on how damaged the tooth was to  begin with, it may need a full-coverage crown. Those options will be  discussed with you.

• Keep your teeth decay-free by brushing and flossing every day. Eat a  healthy diet low in sugar and avoid acidic beverages such as soda. Have  regular professional cleanings and exams. And if you're active in  sports, consider ordering a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth  from injury.