Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment)

What is Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)?

The pulp structure, which contains the nerve-blood-lymph veins, which are located in the inner part of the tooth and are a soft layer, is damaged beyond repair in case of damage. Removal of the thread-like tissue in the central part is called “root canal treatment”. After the damaged or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned and shaped. Root canal operation is performed by refilling. If the damaged pulp structure is not removed, infections occur in the tissues in the teeth and surrounding parts. Therefore, you can lose the tooth completely.

Previously, damaged teeth was extracted. Now, thanks to root canal treatment, even the teeth facing loss can be recovered. The pulp (the soft layer inside the tooth that contains the nerve, blood, lymph vessels) dies when damaged beyond repair. Removal of this small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth, i.e. the pulp, is called “root canal treatment”. When the damaged or dead pulp is removed, the remaining cavity is cleaned, shaped and refilled. With this process, the root canal is closed. If the damaged or diseased pulp is not removed, the tooth and surrounding tissues are exposed to infection. And you could end up losing your tooth altogether. Years ago, diseased or damaged teeth would have been extracted. Today, even the teeth facing loss can be saved thanks to root canal treatment.

 




The most common causes of pulp damage are:

  • Cracked tooth,
  • Broken tooth,
  • Deep caries structures,
  • Tooth damage due to previous or recent impact.

Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

  • Long-term sensitivity to heat and cold,
  • Pain in your mouth when chewing or inability to chew comfortably,
  • Increased pain at night,
  • Discoloration of tooth,
  • Pain or palpable swelling in lymph nodes near the tooth might indicate that you need root canal treatment.

What Happens If Root Canal Treatment Is Not Performed?

The tooth loses all its vitality in the event of deep caries and cracks which are the conditions where the pulp cannot repair

 

itself. Therefore, the recurrent infection can affect the whole tooth. The tissue does not have the ability to regenerate itself like other tissues in our body. If the infection is not treated, it is likely to reach the tissues at the root end. The jawbone surrounding the general structure of the tooth is also inflamed. There are more severe problems. Abscesses occur in the gaps formed. This picture is accompanied by symptoms such as pain and swelling.

How Is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Root canal treatment sometimes requires more than one session depending on the need.

  • Anesthesia is applied to the tooth to prevent pain.
  • In the next stage, when the caries is cleaned and the extract of the tooth is reached, the diseased and soft tissue is removed. Nerve and tissue residues are cleaned completely.
  • The dental canal is shaped. The healing process can be accelerated with drugs.
  • During the sessions, the tooth is covered with temporary fillers until it is treated. After the inflammation stops and the inflammation flows from the root end, the canal is filled up to the root end with a special filler.
  • These sessions are not needed for some patients. It is possible to finish the root canal treatment in a single session.
  • After the shaping process is completed with the help of the filling, the post can be placed and can be coated with crown. Your dentist will make the most suitable decision based on substance loss on the teeth.

 

Is Pain Experienced After Root Canal Treatment?

It is natural to feel pain upon pressing for a few days after the end of root canal treatment. These pains can be prevented thanks to the painkillers that our physicians will recommend to you.

How Long Can The Recovered Teeth Be Used?

The treated and recovered tooth/teeth can be used for a lifetime with proper oral and dental care. Discipline and meticulousness is necessary.  Since caries may occur again in the treated tooth, oral care and regular dental examination are essential to prevent future problems.

Since the pulp that keeps the tooth alive and adds vitality is no longer present, the treated tooth becomes more sensitive to fractures. This detail should not be overlooked when deciding whether to apply a crown or filling to the tooth after the root canal treatment stage.

 

Does Tooth Die with Root Canal Treatment?

The tooth dies not die after root canal treatment. It continues to be fed thanks to supporting tissues. It loses its abilities such as stretching in the face of pressure applied to the tooth. It is highly fragile since there are no stretching structures.

Can Root Canal Treatment Be Performed on All Teeth?

It is not possible to recover some teeth with root canal treatment. The main reasons are the inability to enter the canals, the fractures in the roots, the inability to provide sufficient bone support or the loss of it to an extent that cannot be repaired.