Root canal treatment is a dental treatment method that usually arouses fear in patients and is thought to be difficult. However, contrary to popular belief, patients do not feel any pain or soreness during the procedure. Root canal treatment applied with modern techniques is preferred to protect oral dental health and ensure patient comfort. Untimely root canal treatment can cause permanent tooth and bone loss.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a method used to treat deep tooth decay and fractures that cannot be treated by filling. During this treatment, the damaged part of the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp, is removed and the progression of the tooth infection is prevented.
The pulp, also known as the core of the tooth, contains blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves.
If tooth decay progresses and reaches the pulp, infection begins to develop in the area and this causes severe toothache. If the infected pulp is not treated in time, the infection in the area can progress and cause dental abscesses. In later stages, tooth or bone loss may occur with pulp death. This type of deep cracks and decay in the mouth can be saved by root canal treatment.
When is root canal treatment performed?
Root canal treatment is not always a preferred method, but some tooth decay may be too serious to be treated with classical methods. Especially deep fractures and cracks that go deep into the tooth and reach the underlying nerves cannot be treated using fillings. In cases where the pulp is infected, root canal treatment must be performed and the deep-structured damage in the area must be removed. Some of the symptoms that occur in cases requiring root canal treatment are as follows:
- Swelling of the face and neck
- Cracked teeth
- Deep bruises
- Swelling of the gums
- Pain when chewing and biting
- Increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Sores on the gums
- Reflected toothache
- Dark-colored gums
How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?
The main purpose of root canal treatment is to save the tooth that is close to dying and to maintain oral comfort in the patient. For this, decay and infections that go down to the core of the tooth must be removed. Operation because there are nerves in the pulp. After the tooth is cleaned of infection, the existing canals are shaped and filled and the tooth is restored to function. The application steps in root canal treatment, which usually lasts for two sessions, vary according to the general condition of the tooth and take place as follows:
- First, an X-ray is taken to see the condition of the tooth root and to check for infection.
- In cases where the dental pulp is severely damaged, root canal treatment is initiated.
- First, the patient is given local anesthesia and the pulp, the core of the tooth, is removed.
- Then the root canal is cleaned and organized.
- At the end of the first session, which lasts 45 minutes on average, the tooth is x-rayed again and the condition of the canals is observed.
- In cases where the application is successful, the second session starts and the canals are filled with permanent material. Usually, there is a period of 4-5 days between the two sessions for the tooth to heal and during this period, the patient is given a temporary filling. Afterwards, it is filled with permanent material.
- At the end of the procedure, no pain is felt thanks to regular medication and dental care practices. Therefore, root canal treatment is not as difficult as it is thought to be.
