Root canal therapy (RCT) is technically known as endodontic therapy, which refers to treating soft tissues inside a tooth (pulp). This pulp (or root canal) contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Why is single-visit RCT recommended?
Traditional endodontic therapy usually takes more than two visits. With the improvement of modern techniques in endodontics, single-visit RCT is becoming increasingly popular as it is cost-effective and saves time for both the patient and the dentist.
Who can perform single-visit RCT?
Endodontists are specialists in root canal therapy, and single-visit RCT should preferably be done by them, though most dentists perform RCT. RCT is preferred since it preserves natural teeth if an accident or infection damages the root canal while the crown is intact. Book your root canal treatment at the best dental clinic in Madurai.
How is single-visit RCT conducted?
The following steps are utilised in performing single-visit RCT at a dental clinic near you:
- Your endodontist will use a local anaesthetic to numb the area around your tooth that needs RCT.
- Using dental instruments, the dentist will create a small hole in the middle of the tooth and clean out the infected and diseased dental pulp.
- The dentist will next completely clean the tooth using multiple irrigations.
- Following this, the chamber is filled with a rubber-like substance and fully sealed with an adhesive.
- Finally, a permanent filling or cap is placed on the tooth to provide it with strength and stability.
What are the benefits of single-visit RCT?
- Convenient and time-saving for both the patient and the dentist
- Reduces the risk of inter-appointment infections
- Increases the efficiency and success rate of the procedure as the dentist prepares and fills the canal at the same time
What are the possible complications of single-visit RCT?
- Completing the procedure at a stretch can be tiring for both the dentist and the patient.
- The risk of some residual infection increases as no intracanal antibiotic is left in place in single-visit RCT.
- It becomes complicated to finish the procedure in one go in case of haemorrhage or exudate.
Conclusion
Single-visit RCT can be performed in the following cases:
- Healthy vital teeth with no deep infection
- Patients undergoing complete oral rehabilitation
- Fracture of the front teeth, requiring immediate repair for aesthetic purposes
- Specially-abled patients
Get your single-visit RCT done by the best dental surgeon near you.
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Single-visit RCT may not be the right option for some patients, such as those suffering from temporomandibular dysfunction, as they cannot keep their jaw open for a long time. Additionally, the success rate of single-visit RCT is lower in patients who have complex tooth anatomy, such as multiple calcified canals.
Single-visit RCT offers the convenience of saving time and money and is thus preferred by many. It is, however, not considered appropriate in some cases. Visit a dental clinic near you to discuss if you are the right candidate to undergo single-visit RCT.
A severe toothache may be the result of a deep-rooted infection. Having a single-visit RCT in such cases is not recommended because it is crucial first to treat the infection completely.
