Untreated toothaches increase the risk of developing gum diseases.
Dr Gunita Singh, B.D.S., M.D. Cosmetic and Laser dental surgeon shares the best treatment options for root infection in teeth
Our tooth is divided into crown and root. Though we can’t see the root structure as it is covered by gingiva but that is the foundation of our tooth is bigger than the crown and as important as the crown structure.
Sometime a patient enters the clinic with pain, can be both acute and chronic.
On examination the tooth looks perfect but when we take an X-ray the root is infected. What so we do in such case? What are the treatment modalities?
- The most commonly performed/suggested is ROOT CANAL TREATMENT.It is one of the safest and most commonly performed treatments in the dental office where in under local Anaesthesia the infected root pulp is removed; the canals are cleaned and then filled with artificial filling materialsIt like a bypass surgery of the tooth gives new life to the tooth should be always concluded with the cap to give the tooth the strength required.Most of the time it’s a single sitting procedure but sometimes can be 2-4 sittings depending on the infection.
- Laser root disinfection.The roots can be disinfected with the help of lasersLaser is one of the best and newest technologies in dentistry and Dr Gunita Singh at Dentem specialises in lasers from the University of Vienna.If the infection is minimal laser disinfection is one of the best options. We do a minimal procedure which is stich less bloodless and pain less and the tooth recovers over the period of time.Sometimes this procedure can be used in coordination with root canal treatment too. It works wonders as a combination.
- Root planning and curettageThis is another procedure to disinfect the roots or pockets formed between the gums and roots.This is a surgical procedure done in certain cases where the root infection is more is the periodontal area then inside the rootDone in four sittings,1 quadrant at a time.Results are good if the oral hygiene and after care are taken care of.
- ApicectomyThis treatment modality is used in extreme situations where the tip of the root is totally damaged and we can see a periapical infection in the root tip. This can be only seeing in an X-ray.In this case the apical tip of the root of the tooth is surgically removed and then built up with filling materials.To conclude it’s possible to now save your tooth successfully with all such new techniques irrespective of the infection being in the tooth or crown. Gone are the days when tooth was simply extracted in case of root infection.