Root canal treatment (RCT) involves removing the nerve (pulp) from inside the tooth. It is done in multiple sessions to thoroughly clean, disinfect and fill the inside of the tooth. RCT saves badly decayed or injured teeth from extraction by eliminating pain. After RCT, a crown is needed to protect the now brittle tooth from breaking down.

1. DENTAL SECTION
FOR PATIENT

2. Dr. Sherif Tehemar

3. • RCT or Root Canal Treatment
W is the technique used to
H remove the nerve (Pulp) of the
A tooth from its inside.
T • It is not a surgical procedure.
• It uses the same local
I
anesthesia routinely used in
S
the dental office
R • It requires multiple sessions to
C complete.
T

4. • In most of the cases, RCT is indicated in
I badly distructed tooth from
– extensive caries,
N – trauma,
D – untreatable sensitive teeth
I • In those cases, the pulp of the tooth
(nerve) is exposed to the outside
C initiating severe pain.
A • By removing the nerve of the tooth, it is
no longer painful and can be filled as
T normal.
I • Following RCT, a crown is needed to
O protect the tooth, otherwise the tooth
might break as it become brittle after
N RCT.
S

5. • The dentist remove the
P bacteria, nerve tissue and
R any substance from the
O inside of the nerve canal.
C • Once the canal became
E clean from inside, it is
D filled by a special
U material to prevent the
R
accumulation of the
E
bacteria again inside the
canal.

6. • Why should you do RCT?
– RCT is a the technique most commonly used to save a badly
destructed tooth instead of extract it. So, it is your decision to
save the tooth as natural tooth can mot be immitate.
Q • Can an RC treated tooth became carious again?
– Of course. RCT do not protect the tooth from decay. So home
& care and regular check-up is a must
• Is RCT very painful?
A – No it is not. The administration of Local Anaesthesia requires
that the tissue should not be inflammed and infected to work
properly.So the most important factor is the decision of your
dentist to interfere in the correct time (no infection or
inflammation is present).

7. • My dentist did not give me anaesthesia when
doing RCT, is this correct?
– In some cases, the tooth became dead so the procedure of RCT is
not painful, and do not need anaesthesia.
Q
• Do I need this multiple visits to complete RCT
& and why?
– Yes. The reason is that the dentist should be sure that your teeth
became clean and not infected. This could last for 3 to 4 visits
A depending on the case.
• Why should you do crown over and RC treated
tooth?
– After RCT the tooth became brittle and could be easily fractured
so a porcelain crown is a must to protect it.

8. • Root Canal Treatment can save the
S tooth if properly dome. This procedure
T
A usually requires multiple session to
T complete it. Porcelain crown should be
E inserted after completion the treatment
M
E to protect it.
N
T