Endodontic treatment
What is endodontic dental treatment?
Endodontic therapy consists of a series of treatments, including removal of pulp tissue, scaling and shaping of the root canals, obturation of the root canal space, and placement of a restoration on the tooth. Each step is performed sequentially.
Root canal treatment is not painful and can save a tooth that would otherwise have to be completely removed.
When is root canal treatment needed?
Root canal treatment is needed when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by bacterial infection.
The pulp can become inflamed if it is infected with bacteria, which allows them to multiply and spread.
Symptoms of pulp infection:
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pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drink
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pain when biting or chewing
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loose tooth
As the infection progresses, these symptoms often disappear as the pulp dies. The tooth may appear to be healing, but the infection is actually spreading throughout the root canal system.
Eventually, additional symptoms may appear:
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recurring pain when biting or chewing
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swelling of the palate near the affected tooth
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pus oozing from the affected tooth
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swollen cheek or jaw
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tooth discoloration
How is root canal treatment performed?
Steps in root canal treatment:
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Your dentist injects anesthesia to numb the infected tooth and surrounding tissue.
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A small hole is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp.
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Small dental instruments and an endomotor are used to remove nerves, blood vessels, and tissues from the pulp.
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After the pulp is cleaned, the dentist disinfects the pulp chamber and root canals.
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Then, the empty chamber and root canals are filled with a flexible, rubbery material called gutta-percha. Our office uses a special method of obturation with vertical hot condensation, which allows for complete closure of microporosities and prevents the development of bacteria.
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For teeth with periapical processes (processes extended into the bone with pus), a special type of filling is used – MTA, which allows for the repair of lost bone and a reduction in the number of bacteria.
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If there is a more serious bacterial infection in the bone, the dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic.
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The dentist then seals the tooth with a temporary filling. This prevents bacteria from entering the tooth.
Final stage of treatment
In the final step, the dentist places a permanent filling or dental crown on the treated teeth. Dental crowns protect the tooth and restore the function of the bite – the way the teeth fit together when the jaw is closed.
Crowns are usually made to order, so they can take two to three weeks to be installed.
In most cases, the inflamed tissue around the tooth heals naturally. Treatment is usually successful – in about 9 out of 10 cases, the tooth can last up to 10 years after treatment.
It is important to consult a dentist if you experience a toothache. If the tooth is infected, the pulp cannot heal on its own. Left untreated, the infection can lead to serious complications.