Endodontic Treatment
Root canal treatment (i.e. endodontics) is a treatment method applied when the nerve and vascular structure in the interior of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This internal structure in the tooth (i.e. the pulp) can be damaged by decay or trauma and, left untreated, will lead to severe pain or abscess. Root canal treatment is a procedure to solve these problems without extracting the tooth.
Why is Root Canal Treatment Performed?
The main conditions that require root canal treatment are as follows:
•Deep Caries: When the decay progresses and reaches the nerve tissue of the tooth, it causes infection and pain. In this case, root canal treatment may be required.
•Impact to the tooth: If the tooth is hit, cracked or fractured, the pulp may be damaged. When the pulp is damaged, there is a risk of infection over time.
•Gum Diseases: Advanced gum disease can sometimes affect the pulp and cause infection inside the tooth.
•Chronic Irritation: Wear over time on the tooth’s structure or filling can affect the pulp.
Without root canal treatment, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues, causing more serious problems and tooth loss.
How Do We Apply Root Canal Treatment?
As Özel Bornova Tanı Diş Polikliniği, we usually complete root canal treatment in one or two sessions and apply local anesthesia depending on the condition of the tooth. The process stages are as follows:
Anesthesia
The tooth and surrounding tissues are numbed with local anesthesia. If the pulp tissue is already damaged, anesthesia is sometimes not needed, but it is often administered to prevent pain.
Cleaning and Opening the Tooth
The root canals are accessed by making a small hole in the upper surface of the tooth. Through this hole, the pulp tissue inside the tooth is removed. It is important to completely remove infected or dead pulp tissue.
Cleaning and Shaping of Root Canals
The root canals are cleaned, disinfected and reshaped using special instruments. This stage is very important to remove bacteria and reduce the risk of infection and must be done meticulously.
Channel Filling
The cleaned ducts are filled with a sealed material (usually a substance called gutta-percha). This filling prevents the ducts from becoming infected again.
Tooth Closure and Protective Restoration
After the procedure is completed, the tooth is temporarily sealed. Since root canal treated teeth can be prone to fracture, a permanent filling or a protective restoration such as a porcelain crown is recommended.
What are the Advantages of Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment allows you to save the tooth instead of extracting it, which helps to preserve chewing function and maintain the aesthetics of the tooth. When a tooth is extracted, other treatments, such as implants or bridges, need to be applied to the vacant space, which means more costs and requires additional procedures, in addition to losing your tooth altogether.