What is Root Canal Treatment? In Which Situations Is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

As a result of deep caries, cracks and fractures in the teeth, the nerves and veins in the teeth lose their vitality over time. As a result of this loss of vitality, the process of cleaning, disinfecting and filling the infected nerves in the canals with appropriate canal fillers is called root canal treatment.

Will I feel pain during root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment must be started with a correct anesthesia.

After the anesthesia depth is fully provided, the patient does not feel pain. The procedure is done comfortably.

In which cases root canal treatment may be required?
• In cases where fractures involving the nerve of the tooth occur as a result of trauma,
• In cases where the tooth loses its vitality as a result of excessive force on the teeth during or after orthodontic treatment,
• In advanced gum disease,
• In the elimination of sensitivity caused by advanced wear on the teeth,
• Root canal treatment is required in deep caries.

What are the stages of root canal treatment?
• Infection is controlled by the use of antibiotics when the physician deems it appropriate,
• Then, 2-3 days after the use of antibiotics, anesthesia is given and the procedure is started and the patient is not pained.
• The caries is cleaned and the nerves of the tooth are reached,
• The root canal system of the tooth is shaped with hand tools and rotary tools,
• Appropriate cleaning solutions are used, the infected nerves and tissues at the root of the tooth are thoroughly cleaned and the root canal is shaped up to the root tip,
Depending on the condition of the tooth, it can be treated in a single session or in treatments that last several sessions. In between sessions, dressing is made with healing drugs into the root canal system.
In the process of finishing the root canal treatment, the canal is filled with special filling materials up to the root tip. Afterwards, the top filling process is performed and it is waited for a few days with temporary filling. Thus, the patient’s complaints are followed. The patient who has no complaints is filled properly or if there is excessive crown destruction, it is restored with porcelain crowns. It should not be forgotten that the teeth with root canal treatment are more fragile than live teeth because they lose their vitality. Therefore, it is beneficial to treat the tooth with porcelain crowns to protect it.

What is the success rate of root canal treatment? How long will a root canal treated tooth stay in my mouth?

The success rate of root canal treatments performed under appropriate conditions is 90%. It is between 95. If the nerve tissue that is not cleaned remains during the treatment, if the root canal filling and top filling is not done enough, microorganisms may leak into the canal, and root canal treatment is said to be unsuccessful due to the formation of perforation or fractures during the treatment. An unsuccessful root canal treatment can be understood from the symptoms of pain in the teeth, pain on its own, swelling and redness at the root tip.

Will a tooth that has had root canal treatment eventually come out?

No, the tooth cannot be extracted immediately. Unsuccessful root canal treatment is renewed and the treatment is repeated. If this procedure is insufficient, removal of the infected root tip with a minor surgical procedure; Cleaning of infected tissues (apical resection) is performed. If the root canal treatment is repeated and surgical interventions are insufficient, extraction of the tooth should be considered.