What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental treatment applied as a result of infection of the canals and nerves that feed the tooth. Infection in the roots of the teeth causes many complaints such as gum swelling, pain and tenderness. If the infection in the tooth that requires root canal treatment is not intervened in time, other neighboring teeth may be infected and tooth loss may occur. For this reason, when the symptoms of root canal treatment are seen in any tooth, the dentist should be visited as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms that require root canal treatment?
- Regional pain that does not go away
- Cracks on the tooth surface
- Sensitivity in hot and cold drinks
- Swelling and inflammation
- Gum problems
- Changes in tooth color
How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Last?
Root canal treatment can be completed in 1 or 2 sessions depending on the structure of the tooth and the condition of the infection. Since each case will differ, you can get the most accurate information from your dentist.
How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?
In order to determine the general condition of the infection and the tooth, the dentist first evaluates the situation by taking x-rays and informs the patient about the procedures to be performed.
- The procedure is started by anesthetizing the area to be treated with root canal treatment in order to prevent pain during the treatment.
- The physician applies abrasion on the tooth surface, completely removing the carious area and reaching the tissues that contain the disease.
- With the help of the canal file movement in the tooth canals, the infection and inflammation are repeated in such a way that they are completely cleaned.
- The cleaned channels are filled with a special substance and closed.
- The situation is evaluated by taking x-rays again to observe the infection status.
- After the root canal treatment is performed successfully, temporary filling is performed.
- The temporary filling made in the 2nd session is removed and the tooth is given its final shape aesthetically with a permanent filling or coating.
- In some cases where the number of root canals is low, the procedure can be completed in a single session by not performing temporary filling.
Is Pain Felt in Root Canal Treatment?
Since anesthesia is performed at the beginning of root canal treatment, no pain occurs during the procedures. In some cases, in case of mild pain, the pain is completely eliminated by additional numbing.
After Root Canal Treatment
After the root canal treatment, nothing should be eaten for 3-4 hours until the numbness passes. The tooth with root canal treatment can be used for a lifetime when regular oral care is done. In this regard, teeth should be brushed at least 2 times a day and the area should be cleaned with dental floss.