Endodontics - Root Canal Treatment
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the treatment of root canals in teeth. Under the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth, there is a section called the "pulp" where the vessels and nerves that ensure the vitality of the tooth are located. This section, called the "pulp chamber" in the crown of the tooth, extends to the end of the tooth roots. If the pulp becomes inflamed for any reason, the nerve of the tooth must be removed, the canals must be sterilized and then filled. Root canal treatment is performed in a single session on living teeth, and generally in two sessions on teeth that have lost their vitality.
Every person has bacteria in the oral cavity. Bacteria combine with many foods we consume and cause acids to form in our mouth. If we do not pay attention to our oral hygiene, these acids will damage the tooth enamel and cause caries in the enamel layer. If caries in the enamel are not treated, they pass to the dentin layer under the enamel layer. Although the dentin layer warns us through pain, if the resulting caries is not treated again, this time microorganisms move towards the pulp. Meanwhile, the pulp warns us through pain to protect itself. But if we do not get our teeth treated, after a while microorganisms will destroy the vessels and nerves in the pulp, causing inflammation.
Another way for inflammation to occur in the pulp is trauma. A blow to the tooth causes the vessels and nerves entering the root of the tooth from the root tip to rupture, thus causing the tooth to lose its vitality. Addition of microorganisms in any way causes inflammation of the pulp. Another way for the pulp to become infected is the presence of long-term periodontal (gum and surrounding) disease around the tooth.
Pain and sensitivity to cold and hot foods and drinks in the tooth and pain during eating are caused by inflammation and a It signals the onset of inflammation. Again, extreme color changes in the teeth may also be perceived as a sign of inflammation. Apart from these, in teeth where the decay reaches the pulp but is not treated, the infection spreads from the root tip to the jawbone and may cause small or large swellings on the face. In this situation In the fight against infection, the use of antibiotics is also appropriate in addition to the procedures performed by the dentist. The general opinion is that the tooth that causes swelling on the face should be removed after the swelling subsides. According to new technology, even teeth that cause such major infections can now be kept in the mouth with root canal treatment and can serve you for years like a healthy tooth.
Treatment Methods
- Detection of the problematic tooth by taking radiography.
- If the tooth is alive, local anesthesia is applied to eliminate the sensitivity of the tooth and surrounding tissues.
- Creating the cavity to reach the pulp by cleaning the caries in the Enamel and Dentin layers of the tooth.
- Isolation of the tooth by applying a rubber dam.
- Determination of the working length using electronic instruments and confirmation by radiography.
- Infected dentin layers in the root canal by using rotary instrument systems, Destruction and removal of microorganisms.
- Destruction of microorganisms with various root canal disinfectants when using rotary instrument systems in root canals.
- If the tooth is not alive when starting the root canal treatment, with a canal antiseptic to be placed in the root canal. Waiting for a certain period of time and filling the root blood at the next meeting
After the root canal treatment, the tooth is cut off from the surrounding tissues, the aim is to prevent the infection from occurring again and to repair any damage to the surrounding tissues of the tooth. Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia and there is no pain.
Following the root canal treatment, especially after the treatment of living teeth, there may be excruciating pain in the tooth for a few days or pain when pressing on the tooth. This is a normal pain that occurs after root canal treatment. It disappears in a short time with some protection of the root canal treated tooth. Today, the success rate of root canal treatments with the correct treatment method reaches 90%.
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