Root canal treatment; is a method applied to treat a severely infected or decayed tooth. It is also known as endodontic treatment.
The dental nerve, which loses its vitality due to impact, trauma, decay, etc. is considered a foreign substance by the body. As a result, inflammation develops. Infected pulp tissue is removed in the root canal treatment, the canal cavity is cleaned and shaped. It is filled with filling material compatible with the tooth tissue without leaving any gaps.
If caries have reached the pulp layer, all nerve spaces must be cleaned. It is possible to completely clear these areas of nerves with methods such as sweeps or laser.
If the treatment is not started early, the surrounding tissues will also become infected and the tooth will be permanently lost. The only alternative to root canal treatment is to remove the tooth and apply an implant, bridge or denture treatment. Root canal treatment requires less cost and takes less time.
In which situations is root canal therapy applied?
- Sensitivity as a result of advanced wear on the teeth
- Crown/root fractures in teeth due to impact
- Pulp damage due to gum operations, advanced dental disease, teeth grinding or chewing habits
- Loss of pulp vitality
- Damage to the dental nerve in trauma-related fractures
- Progression of caries to the dental nerve
- Recurrent caries under veneer or filling
- Root canal treatment may be needed during the prosthetic restoration of crooked teeth.
- It may be necessary to apply root canal treatment to adjacent teeth when removing large cysts in the jawbone or removing wisdom teeth.
The following symptoms may indicate the need for root canal treatment:
- Toothache that starts on its own without any stimulus (It increases especially at night and painkillers do not help.)
- Extreme cold/hot sensitivity in teeth
- Teeth discoloration or fistula formation
- Abscess and swelling in the face area
- Acne-style sores on the gums
How is root treatment performed?
- It is performed in one, two or three sessions, depending on the severity of the damage to the tooth. First, x-rays are taken and the shape of the root canals is checked. It is determined whether there is an infection in the surrounding bones.
- Before the procedure is performed, the tooth and the area next to the tooth are anesthetized with local anesthesia.
- A waterproof material is placed around the tooth. This ensures that the area is kept free of saliva and remains dry throughout the treatment.
- A hole is drilled into the tooth. The infected area is reached through this hole.
- Pulp, decaying nerve tissue and infection residues are cleaned.
- The canal is enlarged with tools similar to a nail file. This procedure, called canal filing, is not painful. Because the patient’s nerves were removed.
- After the cleaning process of the tooth is finished, the tooth is permanently filled. Some dentists prefer to wait a week before doing this. If an infection is present, medication may be prescribed to treat it. After root canal treatment, the teeth are usually closed on the same day. Otherwise, temporary filling is required. This prevents food residue and saliva from filling the cavity in the teeth.
- The inside of the tooth is filled with a thin rod-like rubber substance called gutta-percha. The length of the opened channels is measured and the gutta-perchas are adjusted accordingly. The excess is cut and placed in the main cavity of the root canal.
- Then it is fixed with the help of additional mixtures and leakage is prevented. Root canal treatment is completed by closing the hole. In order to restore the shape and natural appearance of the tooth, the crown is coated. If the tooth is broken, post-application can be made for tooth repair.
What Should Be Considered After Root Canal Treatment?
- It is normal to have sensitivity in the teeth for a few days. Over-the-counter medications such as Naproxen or Ibuprofen can be used to control this.
- If the treatment is not finished in the first session, sticky things such as gum, nuts and similar hard foods should be avoided throughout the process. There is a high risk of tooth fractures between sessions. With the root canal-treated tooth, things that require excessive force such as breaking the shell of a pistachio, or opening a bottle cap should not be done.
- The temporary filling should be well protected until the treatment is completed, and care should be taken to prevent it from falling.
- For the first few days, excessive chewing pressure should not be applied to the treated tooth. You should use the other part of your jaw until the pain goes away. If a temporary filling is already done, it is important to use the other part of your chin until the permanent filling is made so that it does not break and fall.
- You should not eat or drink anything for the first 2 hours after the root canal treatment.
- Extremely cold or hot foods should be avoided for the first 1-2 days.
- If the feeling of discomfort continues after 1-2 days; If complaints such as weakness, fever, and facial swelling are observed, a doctor should be consulted without delay.
- Regular oral care should be taken care of; Teeth should be brushed twice a day, and antiseptic mouthwash and dental floss should be used.
- Dentist examinations every 6 months should not be neglected.
- Sugary food consumption should be reduced against the risk of caries formation.
