What is Root Canal Treatment (Endodontic)?
Endodontic treatment or root canal treatment; It is a treatment method to save a decayed or infected tooth.
Endodontic treatment is not applied to every tooth decay. Tooth root canal treatment is applied in cases where the intervention to the tooth decay with filling is insufficient, if there is inflammation, if the tooth decay has progressed, if it is painful and painful.
If the tooth decays are not treated in time, the decay progresses deeper. It causes inflammation of the nerves in the tooth. Inflammation of the dental nerves causes a person to experience severe toothache. Problems such as darkening of the tooth, sensitivity to hot and cold may occur.
Continue
There is hard enamel tissue on the outside of the teeth. In its inner part, there is a cavity consisting of vessels and nerves. It is these tissues that give vitality and life to the tooth. These are the vessels and nerves located in this space in the center of the tooth.
During root canal treatment, the nerve inside the tooth is removed. The inside of the tooth is cleaned. After that, the empty space is filled.
The extracted dental nerve is not vital for dental health and function. However, its removal prevents the person from experiencing severe pain. This nerve is a sensory nerve used only for the perception of heat and cold.
Contrary to what is known, the patient does not feel pain during root canal treatment. In root canal treatment, teeth and surrounding tissues are effectively anesthetized as in filling treatment. Usually the process is completed within 1 hour.
Why is Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) Done?
The nerve of a tooth can be destroyed by deep caries, a crack or break in the tooth. It can become inflamed and infected.
An abscess is an inflamed sac. It occurs when the infection spreads to the end of the root tips of the tooth. An abscess in the tooth causes severe pain in the person.
It can cause swelling that can spread to the face, neck or other parts of the head.
If an abscess has formed, antibiotic therapy is administered first. When the abscess disappears, root canal treatment is started.
What are The Symptoms That Will Require Root Canal Treatment (Endodontic)?
- Severe toothache when chewing or applying pressure
- Sensitivity to hot or cold (pain)
- Darkening of tooth color
- Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
How Make is Root Treatment?
Root canal treatment can be performed by a dentist.
- The first step in root canal treatment is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals.
- To determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bones.
- The dentist will use local anesthetic to numb the area near the tooth.
- He or she will place a layer of rubber around the tooth to keep that area dry and saliva-free during treatment.
- The dentist will then drill an access hole into the root canal. Through this hole, harmful bacteria inside, rotten nerve tissue are removed from the tooth.
- Cleaning is performed using root canal files.
- Files of increasing diameter are used by placing them in this hole, respectively. Root canals are cleaned.
- After the inner part of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the opened hole is closed. Today, porcelain filling system can be used for filling the gap in the tooth.
Things to Consider After Root Canal Treatment (Endodontic)
- It is necessary to avoid biting hard or crusty foods until the root canal treatment is finished.
- It is important to continue daily dental cleaning without interruption.
- There should be no eating or drinking for at least 3 hours after the treatment.
- To prevent possible infections after root canal treatment, it is necessary to floss at least once a day.
- It is recommended to reduce the consumption of sticky and sugary foods for a while after the treatment. Sugars are one of the most important causes of dental caries.
- After the treatment, pain relievers or sprays recommended by the physician should be used regularly.
How Long Does Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) ?
An average root canal treatment can take approximately 30 to 60 minutes. In some cases, for example, if there is an infection, a week wait is required before closing the tooth as the dentist will put in medication to clean the tooth.
Will There Be Pain After Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) ?
The pain and tenderness felt is due to already existing inflammation and infection. After the treatment, pain and ache is not felt. On the day of treatment, there may be a sensitivity of 2 to 3 after the procedure. But it is temporary.
What Precautions Can Be Taken to Prevent Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) ?
- Paying attention to oral hygiene
- Using dental floss
- Avoiding sugary foods
- Limiting smoking and alcohol consumption
- Going to the dentist’s regular check-ups twice a year
- Paying attention to tartar cleaning
Can Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) Be Done Again?
Root canal treatment is a repeatable procedure. In cases where the treatment is unsuccessful, the canal filling is emptied, the root canals can be reshaped and disinfected and then filled again.
The success rate of a well-done root canal treatment is 90-95%. So there is no inflammation or pain. However, a new tooth decay due to the person’s lack of attention to oral hygiene, In case of re-leakage of bacteria into the root canals, such as a fracture in the hard tissue of the tooth, re-infection may develop.