Root Canal Treatment

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Germs in the mouth can cause tooth decay by producing acids that damage teeth. If tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection and tooth loss. Bacteria and food are the most important factors that cause tooth decay. Plaque on teeth and gums is a transparent and sticky substance. Plaque contains bacteria that feed on the sugar in the food consumed. The acids produced by the bacteria during feeding begin to attack the teeth some time after eating. Over time, the acids destroy the teeth and tooth decay occurs.

Root canal treatment can be used to repair and save a badly decayed or infected tooth. During root canal treatment, dead or dying nerve tissue and bacteria inside the tooth are removed to try to save the tooth.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Underneath the enamel in every tooth, there is an area of soft tissue called "pulp". The pulp carries the nerves, veins and arteries of the tooth. The very small, thin passages branching from the upper pulp chamber towards the root tip are called pulp.

From time to time, the pulp inside the tooth can become infected by disease or bacteria, or damaged by traumatic injury to the tooth. Due to an infected or untreated root canal, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. Root canal treatment can prevent potentially harmful infections in other parts of the body and can often save the damaged tooth.

Root canal treatment affects the root tip or nerve of the tooth, the pulp chamber and structures called the pulp and canal. Some of the conditions that may require root canal treatment, which may be required due to any trauma to the nerves or infection, are listed below:

• Bacteria from the decayed tooth pass through the tooth and invade the pulp
• Exposure of the nerves in the tooth as a result of trauma due to causes such as chipping or fracture
• Infection of the tooth due to caries, i.e. abscess formation in the tooth
• Gradual death of the tooth due to trauma that does not need intervention at the time of aging or injury

How is root canal treatment performed?

Before root canal treatment, the patient's gums are numbed with a topical substance. Local anesthesia is injected near the treatment area to completely numb the gums, tongue and skin.

A dental dam is placed around the affected tooth to isolate it from neighboring teeth and to prevent the patient from swallowing debris during the procedure. A small hole is drilled in the upper part of the tooth. This allows access to the pulp chamber, pulp and root canals.

The pulp is removed and the pulp chamber is cleaned. After the canals are cleaned of debris and tissues, they are usually filled with antibiotic drugs and temporary filling materials up to the gum line. If necessary, the canal may be left open for a few days and then emptied. In some cases, it may be preferable to fill the canal immediately with the last canal filling.

If the canals are evasively sealed, the temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and canals are filled with a rubber-like material to prevent possible contamination. If the tooth is still weak, it can be strengthened by placing a metal post over the canal filling.

After the filling and permanent sealing of the area, an impression of the tooth is taken. This impression is used to make an artificial crown to place over the affected tooth. In some cases, it may be preferable to place a temporary crown over the tooth until the permanent crown is made.

In Which Cases is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Root canal treatment cannot be applied to every tooth that hurts or decays. It is possible to treat bacterial decay that causes mild or no pain with filling. If the tooth is not treated at this stage, the bacteria progress to the core of the tooth and inflammation occurs. In this case, root canal treatment may be needed.

Some conditions that require root canal treatment are listed below:

• Severe toothache when chewing or applying pressure
• Developing sensitivity to heat or cold
• Tooth discoloration
• Development of swelling and tenderness in nearby gums

In addition, some conditions that require root canal treatment are as follows:

• Advanced tooth decay can reach the inner tissues of the tooth and lead to infection. In this case, root canal treatment may be required to clean the infected pulp tissue and protect the tooth.
• If the dentin layer is exposed as a result of decay, fracture or abrasion and the tooth is sensitive, root canal treatment can be applied to protect the inside of the tooth and reduce sensitivity.
• As a result of trauma to the teeth, the pulp tissue may be damaged or lose its vitality. In this case, root canal treatment may be required to reduce the risk of infection and protect the tooth.
• Infections that occur around the tooth root as a result of gum disease can spread to the pulp tissue. Root canal treatment may be beneficial to prevent the spread of infection.
• If the tooth is in constant pain, there may be an infection or irritation in the root canal. In this case, root canal treatment can be performed to identify and treat the cause of the pain.

How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take?

Depending on how damaged the tooth is, an average root canal treatment can take 30 to 60 minutes. In cases where the infection has spread, the treatment can take up to 90 minutes as more work is needed to remove the infected area and preserve as much of the tooth structure as possible. In some cases, the treatment can even be completed in more than one session.

What is the Pre-Treatment Process?

Before the treatment, the patient's complaints are listened to, the patient is examined and imaging methods are used when necessary. In this way, the internal structure of the tooth and root canals can be examined and possible infections and damages in the interior of the tooth can be determined. If there is infected or damaged pulp tissue, root canal treatment is planned.

What are the Treatment Stages?

Root canal treatment is a treatment method applied to protect the tooth after the infected or damaged tissue inside the tooth is cleaned and treated. It is usually completed in one or more sessions.

• Anesthesia is applied during the treatment to prevent pain and soreness.
• The area around the tooth is prepared in a sterile way. The area around the tooth is cleaned and protected and access to the tooth is facilitated.
• A hole is drilled in the tooth. The pulp and other infected or damaged tissues are removed. The aim of this procedure is to remove infection or irritation from the inside of the tooth.
• The root canals are cleaned and shaped using special instruments. Bacteria and tissue debris are removed from the root canals.
• The root canals are washed with antiseptic solutions or other disinfectants to clean and reduce the risk of infection.
• Once the root canals have been cleaned and disinfected, a special filling material (a rubber-like material, often called Gutta Percha) is placed inside them. This can protect the inside of the tooth and reduce the risk of re-infection.
• After the root canal treatment is completed, the hole in the tooth is sealed and the tooth is restored. This strengthens the tooth and allows it to regain its normal function. The restoration process can be done using a filling, crown or a similar dental prosthesis.

What Should You Pay Attention to After Root Canal Treatment?

Some pain or numbness may be felt in the early period after root canal treatment. Since the tooth that has undergone root canal treatment loses its vitality, the risk of fracture will increase. For this reason, it is important not to consume very hard foods during the healing process and not to use the tooth until complete healing.

Nothing should be eaten or drunk for at least two hours after root canal treatment. Afterwards, very hot and cold food and drinks should be avoided. Under normal circumstances, antibiotics are not required after root canal treatment as it removes the infection in the tooth. However, if there is excessive sensitivity or severe infection in the tooth, antibiotics may be used.

In the period after root canal treatment, oral and dental care should be applied completely and routine dental examinations should not be interrupted. Although the healing process may vary individually depending on various factors, the dentist's recommendations should be followed in order to have a fast and healthy healing process.

Is There Pain After Root Canal Treatment?

In cases of pain or infection before root canal treatment, tooth sensitivity may be felt for a few days after treatment. In this case, the use of painkillers prescribed by the dentist may be beneficial.

Root Canal Treatment Prices

Root canal treatment prices may vary depending on the condition of the tooth to be treated, whether it is a premolar, molar or incisor, that is, the structure of the tooth, the degree of infection in the tooth, whether it has undergone a root canal treatment before, the price policy of the clinic where the treatment is applied and many other factors.