APEX LOCATOR- the dental magic
Today i will talk about the latest gadget in my clinic. It is called apex locator. This is hi tech equipment which makes root canal treatments so accurate. Usually an RCT is looked upon at with suspicion as its longevity is in doubt. It happens only when the measurements made during the treatment are wrong. Previously the measurements of the canal was done with the help of X-RAYS.
Now the latest technique spares us the horrors of excessive radiation. This is a very handy device and has made a lot of difference in my clinic. The apex locator is a small machine with rechargeable battery. It exactly measures the root canal length and allows the doctor to treat the tooth perfectly.
If the canal length is wrong and on the lesser side , then the treatment remains incomplete. On the other hand if the dentist over instruments the tooth then the bone beyond roots is hurt and a permanent damage is caused. Thus it is very necessary that the doctor is vigilant and careful about the facts. With the advent of apex locator the RCT has become more painless , less time consuming and more accurate.
Indications for RCT:
1)deep caries
2) pain in tooth
3) pus in the tooth(periapical abcess)
4)severe , uncontrollable sensitivity
5) endo-perio lesions
6) severe attrition( flattening of teeth)
7) injury /trauma to the tooth
Every patient should undergo RCT if any of the above indications are present, which may vary from patient to patient. It is always better to save a tooth rather than remove as an artificial tooth can never match the efficiency of natural tooth.
So is my advice , that never get scared of an RCT. Its a painless process which takes 1 to 3 sitting depending on the tooth. With the advent of apex locator a new era has dawned in the field of RCT. We should always put a crown on the tooth which is root canal treated . this strengthens the tooth and makes it fit to fight the rigours of oral cavity.