Canal Treatment
How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?
Root canal treatment can be performed by a dentist or endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp or nerve.
The first step in root canal treatment is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals to determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bones.
The dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. In some cases, anesthesia may not be necessary because the tooth nerve has died, but many dentists numb the area to relax the patient and make the procedure go more smoothly.
He will place a rubber dam around the tooth to keep the area dry and saliva-free during treatment.
The dentist will then drill an access hole into the root canal. Through this hole, harmful bacteria, decayed nerve tissue and pulp are removed from the tooth. The cleaning process is carried out using root canal files.
Rasps of increasing diameter are used by placing them in this hole and working along the tooth to scrape and brush the walls of the root canals clean.
The micro debris that comes out of it is cleaned regularly. After the inside of the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned, the hole is closed.
What is the Pre-Treatment Process?
If the core of the tooth to be treated with root canal treatment is alive and the person does not have a general health problem or a systemic disease (affecting the whole body), there is no need to use antibiotics before treatment. However, in cases of advanced infection and tooth sensitivity, antibiotics may be prescribed by the physician.
What are the Treatment Stages?
Dental X-rays visualize inflammation in the root canals and surrounding bones.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the area around your teeth. In cases where the nerve is dead, anesthesia is not needed, but your doctor may apply anesthesia to relax you.
A hole is drilled into the tooth and the pulp tissue is removed along with the surrounding bacteria and infected tissue.
Afterwards, the root canals are cleaned and the cavity is filled to prevent re-infection.
Today, digital porcelain filling system can be used for filling the cavity in the tooth. This type of filling is much more effective in terms of supporting the tooth. In other words, the life of the treated tooth is not shortened.
Things to Consider After Root Canal Treatment
After root canal treatment, some situations that should be taken into consideration while gradually observing the healing of the teeth:
You should avoid biting hard or crusted foods until the root canal treatment is finished.
It is important to continue daily dental cleaning without interruption. Considering the sensitivity of the teeth, it is necessary to ensure that the teeth are cleaned by brushing gently at least 2 times a day. Daily dental cleaning is essential both after root canal treatment and for general oral health.
In order to prevent possible infections after root canal treatment, it is necessary to floss at least once a day. Flossing is as necessary for oral health as using a toothbrush. When starting to floss, you can benefit from the physician's recommendations suitable for your mouth and tooth structure.
After treatment, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of sticky and sugary foods for a while. Sugars are one of the most important causes of dental caries. Sugar consumption should be limited for both oral and whole body health. Sugar is found not only in products such as chocolate and wafers, but also in many drinks and packaged products.
After endodontic treatment, painkillers or sprays recommended by the physician should be used regularly. If the painkillers or sprays do not reduce the pain, you can consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take?
Root canal treatment may vary depending on the number of roots in the tooth, infection in the root canals, cleaning of nerves, etc. In some cases, additional procedures may be required. In this case, your dentist will inform you about the procedures.
Root canal treatment can take up to a week depending on the infection status of the tooth. An average root canal treatment can take approximately 30 to 90 minutes. In some cases, for example, if there is an infection, the dentist will wait a week before closing the tooth because he or she will put medicine inside to clean the tooth.
In other cases, the tooth can be sealed the same day it is cleaned. If the root canal treatment is not completed on the same day, a temporary filling is placed in the hole to prevent the canal from becoming infected again and to keep it clean.
When the tooth is to be sealed, a paste is placed in the hole to prevent leakage. The external access hole opened at the beginning of the treatment is then sealed with a filling.
It is necessary to avoid chewing with that tooth until the root canal treatment is completely completed, that is, until the permanent filling is placed. This will prevent re-contamination of the inside of the tooth and damage to the temporarily weakened tooth before it can be supported. Normal dental care such as brushing and antiseptic mouthwash should be continued during this period.
A full restoration of the tooth may require further procedures. Since the tooth that needs root canal treatment is usually a tooth with a large filling or a tooth with extensive decay or other weakness, procedures such as dental crowns and dental veneers may be applied to protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking. The need for these procedures will be indicated by the dentist in advance.
Is There Pain After Root Canal Treatment?
Although root canal treatment is known to be a painful procedure, it is no more painful and painful than a normal filling procedure. The pain, soreness and tenderness are caused by already existing inflammation and infection.
During the first few days following the completion of root canal treatment, the tissue in the area may be tender, especially if there is an infection that has been cleared. This pain can be controlled with painkillers recommended by your doctor.
What are the Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a very effective procedure with a success rate of more than 95%. Teeth fixed by filling the root canal with root canal treatment can be used for a lifetime with proper dental care.
Preserving natural teeth is always the preferred option in oral health. The alternative to root canal treatment is to remove the problematic tooth and replace it with a bridge, implant or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting.
These alternatives are both more expensive than root canal treatment and require a longer course of treatment.
What Precautions Can Be Taken to Prevent Root Canal Treatment?
The simplest way to prevent inflammation and infection of the nerve and pulp of a tooth is to pay attention to oral hygiene. Daily maintenance of healthy teeth, keeping teeth clean, flossing, using mouthwash, avoiding sugary foods, limiting smoking and alcohol consumption play an effective role in preventing tooth loss and root canal treatment. Regular check-ups by the dentist twice a year, scaling and routine maintenance can prevent unwanted tooth loss and protect healthy teeth. In addition to oral hygiene, mouth and teeth protectors can be used during sports to prevent root canal treatment due to trauma.
Can Root Canal Treatment Be Done Again?
Root canal treatment is a repeatable procedure. In cases where the treatment is unsuccessful, the canal filling is emptied, the root canals can be reshaped and disinfected and then filled again.
The success rate of a well-done root canal treatment is 90-95 percent. In other words, no inflammation or pain develops. However, if bacteria leak into the root canals again, such as a new decay in the tooth or a fracture in the hard tissue of the tooth due to the person not paying attention to oral hygiene, infection may develop again.