Root Canal Treatment / Endodontics

Bacteria cause inflammation in the pulp of the tooth. If the damaged or diseased pulp is not removed, the tooth and surrounding tissues become infected. Ultimately, this can lead to tooth loss. Without root canal treatment, the infection can reach the tissues at the root tip. The jawbone surrounding the tooth also becomes inflamed and erodes. An abscess forms in this resulting cavity. This condition is accompanied by pain and swelling, and the tooth is lost quickly.

In short, root canal treatment is a treatment method applied when the pulp is damaged. While in previous years the only solution when encountering diseased soft tissue in the tooth was extraction, today it is possible to treat these teeth.

Stages of root canal treatment

• First, anesthesia is applied to the tooth to ensure a painless treatment.
• Then, the decay is cleaned, and once the pulp is reached, the diseased and soft tissue is removed. Nerve and tissue remnants are cleaned.
• The root canal is shaped all the way to the root tip. If necessary, some medications can be applied to accelerate healing.
• Between sessions, the tooth is covered with temporary filling materials until it heals.
• After it is determined that the inflammation has stopped and the discharge from the root tip has ceased, the inside of the canal is filled with a special filling material all the way to the root tip.
• In some cases, these sessions are not necessary at all, and it is possible to complete the root canal treatment successfully in a single session.

If the tooth doesn't become infected again and preventative measures are taken to prevent decay, this filling can last a lifetime. Regular dental checkups can catch the onset of infection. Furthermore, excellent oral hygiene should be maintained to prevent the tooth from decaying again.

In what situations is root canal treatment necessary?

The most common conditions requiring root canal treatment are deep cavities and cracks in the tooth bone. In cases where the tooth is too damaged to heal, the pulp is removed to preserve the tooth. Therefore, the biggest advantage of root canal treatment is saving a dead tooth and not losing the bone structure. Some symptoms indicating the need for root canal treatment can be listed as follows:

• • • Swelling in the face and neck
    • Persistent tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold.
    • Pain when chewing or biting.
    • Acne-like sores forming on the gums
    • Cracked teeth
    • Swollen gums
    • Referred toothache
    • Deep cavities
    • Darkened gums

How is root canal treatment performed?

Root canal treatment has four main objectives: eliminating decay and infection, shaping the root canals, filling the canals, and restoring the tooth's functionality. Depending on the condition of the tooth, treatment may take one or two sessions. The procedure followed during root canal treatment varies depending on the tooth damage, but generally includes the following steps:

• • • The dentist will take an X-ray to see the root structure of the tooth and determine if there are any signs of infection. This allows them to assess the damage to the tooth and decide whether root canal treatment is needed.
    • If the tooth pulp is severely damaged, root canal treatment is initiated.
    • If there is severe pain due to a tooth abscess, local anesthesia will be administered before treatment.
    • The first step in root canal treatment is carefully removing the pulp from inside the tooth. After the pulp is removed, the dentist will determine how long the procedure in the root canal will take.
    • Using appropriately sized instruments, root canals are reshaped and cleaned.
    • A single root canal treatment session takes approximately 45 minutes. After the necessary procedures are completed, the tooth is X-rayed at least twice. If the dentist believes the treatment has been successful, they will disinfect the root canals and then fill them with a permanent material to prevent further contamination.
    • Dentists may wait 4-5 days for the tooth to heal before performing a permanent filling. In this case, the tooth cavity is sealed with a temporary filling.
    • In the next session, the temporary filling is painlessly removed and a permanent filling is placed. The permanent filling process involves dental paste and a rubber-based substance called gutta-percha. Calcium hydroxide-based pastes prevent any leakage into the root canal.

Things to Consider After Root Canal Treatment

• • During root canal treatment, the nerves of the tooth are removed along with the inflamed tissue. Therefore, the tooth is not affected by external stimuli. However, especially in cases where pain or infection was present before the procedure, sensitivity may be felt in the tooth after treatment due to tissue inflammation. This condition is usually relieved with painkillers prescribed by the doctor.
  • It is important to avoid eating anything for at least three hours after treatment.
  • The success rate of root canal treatment is quite high. With regular care, a treated tooth can last a lifetime.
  • Consumption of sugary foods, which are known to cause tooth decay, should be minimized.
  • Teeth should be cleaned twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and once a day with dental floss.
  • It is important to have a general dental check-up at least twice a year.