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Endodontics
Endodontics
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the inner part of the tooth, known as the pulp (nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue). Endodontic treatment is typically performed to address infections, inflammations, or damage within the tooth’s interior.
The most common endodontic procedure is root canal therapy. During this process, the damaged or infected pulp is removed, the emptied space is cleaned, shaped, disinfected, and then filled with a filling material. This procedure alleviates pain, preserves the tooth, and prevents tooth loss.
Root Canal Treatment at Esendent Clinic
When untreated cavities progress and damage the pulp tissue of the tooth, a procedure known as root canal treatment is performed to save the tooth. This involves completely removing the damaged tissues and filling the emptied space with specialized filling materials. At Esendent Clinic, our root canal treatments ensure that, while the tooth loses its vitality, it continues to function effectively within the mouth.
Root Canal Treatment at Esendent Clinic
The most common reason for needing root canal treatment is the progression of untreated cavities, which eventually damage the pulp tissue containing the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves. To preserve the tooth, the damaged pulp tissue must be removed. If a root canal treatment is not performed, bacteria within the cavity can spread and damage the surrounding tissues of the tooth.
Another common cause of root canal treatment is advanced gum disease. Additionally, a tooth fracture caused by trauma or other reasons can allow bacteria to easily reach the pulp and cause infection. Repeated trauma from a high dental filling or poorly fitted prosthetics can also necessitate root canal treatment.
Why Is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
When decay penetrates the enamel and dentin layers, bacteria infect the pulp, where the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves are located. This infection in the pulp can cause pain while eating or even spontaneously. The pain may become severe, disrupting sleep. If the infection reaches the root of the tooth, it can lead to swelling in the face, abscess formation, swelling in the gums, discoloration of the tooth, and even tooth mobility. Antibiotics alone cannot treat this condition. Treatment involves removing the decayed and infected pulp tissue, thoroughly cleaning the area to eliminate bacteria, and sealing the root canals with specialized filling materials. Afterward, the tooth is restored with a permanent filling. Although the tooth loses its vitality, it can continue to function effectively in the mouth.
Steps of Root Canal Treatment
- The tooth to be treated is numbed with local anesthesia.
- The decayed tissue is removed, and the pulp inside the canals is extracted.
- The root canals are cleaned and disinfected using various solutions.
- The canals are dried, and a special medication is applied.
- The tooth is temporarily sealed with a filling.
- After about a week, the patient is recalled for further cleaning. If signs of infection persist, the process is repeated, and more time may be needed.
- Once symptoms subside and there are no signs of infection, the root canals are cleaned, dried, and sealed with specialized filling materials.
- After the root canal filling is completed, the tooth is restored with a permanent filling.
- If necessary, the patient may be scheduled for follow-up. If there was a lesion at the root tip, periodic X-rays might be taken to monitor healing.
Does Root Canal Treatment Cause Pain?
One of the most common concerns among patients is whether root canal treatment is painful. It is entirely normal for patients, often experiencing severe pain due to deep decay, to feel anxious about the procedure.
Before starting the treatment, the area around the affected tooth is numbed. Therefore, pain is generally not felt during the procedure. In rare cases, minor discomfort may occur due to damaged nerves, but additional anesthesia administered through the tooth can eliminate this sensation. Modern techniques effectively control pain during the procedure.
Does a Tooth Treated with a Root Canal Have a Shorter Lifespan?
A tooth treated with root canal therapy is no longer vital, as it lacks pulp tissue. However, this does not impact its functionality. Proper and regular oral care can ensure the tooth lasts a lifetime. Nevertheless, factors such as unsuccessful treatment or poor oral hygiene can affect the longevity of the tooth.
What Determines the Success of Root Canal Treatment?
The success of root canal treatment depends on meeting the treatment requirements. Since root canals are not directly visible, the treatment and its processes are complex and should ideally be performed by an experienced dentist.
Using advanced technology can enhance treatment success. The use of rotary instruments, apex locators (to identify the narrowest point at the root tip), and radiographic imaging is crucial.
Even if all steps are meticulously followed, success is not guaranteed at 100%. Variations in root canal anatomy, the presence of lateral canals, and other anomalies can influence the outcome of the treatment.
Root Canal Retreatment at Esendent Clinic
Retreatment refers to the process of removing and renewing a previous root canal treatment in cases where the treated tooth causes pain or forms an abscess.
Root Canal Retreatment at Esendent Clinic
How Is a Root Canal Retreated?
The process of retreating a root canal begins with removing the old root canal filling material. Once cleared, the canals are cleaned and disinfected using various solutions to eliminate bacteria and infection. After cleaning, the canals are dried, filled with medication, and temporarily sealed with a filling material.
After about a week to ten days, the patient returns for a follow-up to evaluate pain and infection. If the infection persists, the cleaning and medication placement process is repeated. Once the infection is resolved, the canals are thoroughly cleaned and dried again, filled with root canal materials, and permanently sealed to complete the treatment.
Why Is a Root Canal Retreated?
Root canal treatment is often the last option to save a tooth from extraction. Therefore, it must be performed with precision and care. While a root canal-treated tooth loses its vitality, it can still function normally within the mouth.
However, like any other treatment, root canals do not guarantee 100% success. Even with proper oral hygiene and a well-performed treatment, complications can arise over time.
Several factors can lead to the failure of a root canal treatment:
- Variations in the morphological structure of root canals.
- Presence of lateral canals and the inability to completely eliminate bacteria in these areas.
- Instrument breakage during the procedure that cannot be retrieved.
- Procedural errors or insufficient depth of canal filling.
- Perforation of the root or canal.
- Overextension of filling materials beyond the root tip.
- Poorly executed restoration on the tooth after the root canal.
Any of these factors may necessitate the retreatment of a root canal.
Can a Root Canal-Treated Tooth Hurt?
It is normal to experience some pain for a short period after a root canal is newly completed. The materials used to fill the canals may create a sense of pressure, but this discomfort is temporary and usually lasts no more than ten days.
However, under normal conditions, a root canal-treated tooth should not cause pain, as it is no longer vital and lacks nerves. If the tooth does hurt, it likely indicates an unresolved infection. Infection at the root tip can irritate the nerves in the surrounding bone, causing pain. This pain can range from mild to severe, sometimes becoming acute and unbearable.
This issue will not resolve on its own and will likely recur over time. In such cases, either the root canal treatment is retreated, or the tooth is extracted. Early intervention significantly increases the chances of saving the tooth.
Will Retreatment Hurt?
Even though a root canal-treated tooth is no longer vital, applying local anesthesia to numb the surrounding bone tissue is crucial before beginning the procedure. This is because the infection often affects this area, and without anesthesia, the patient may feel discomfort.
With local anesthesia, the patient does not experience pain during retreatment. The retreatment process is similar to the original root canal procedure, with the primary difference being the removal of the old root canal filling material.
À propos d'Ascendant
Notre centre de santé bucco-dentaire de catégorie A vise à traiter les problèmes de santé bucco-dentaire de nos patients dans tous les domaines de la dentisterie, en utilisant les technologies les plus avancées. Nous opérons avec un accent primordial sur la confiance et la satisfaction.
