What is Root Canal Treatment?

Pulp is the tissue that provides the tooth with vitality, and is responsible for its development, nourishment and defence. The pulp may become inflamed for a variety of reasons or may be infected by the introduction of microorganisms. In such instances, it is necessary to remove the pulp tissue and to clean, shape and fill the canal cavity with tissue-friendly canal fillers. These procedures are defined as root canal treatment.

What are the conditions that require root canal treatment in the tooth?

This term is used to describe deep caries, previously made fillings or caries that recur under crown prostheses.

Following the filling or crowning of teeth, patients continue to experience discomfort. This is due to crown/root fractures in the teeth, which result from the impact.

Dental pulp damage may result from non-functional movements, such as chewing or teeth grinding. It may also occur as a consequence of advanced gum disease or gingival operations. In such cases, the pulp is deemed to have lost its vitality.

In the case of prosthetic restoration of crowded teeth, root canal treatment may be necessary.

It is also possible that root canal treatment may be required for adjacent teeth during the extraction of a 20-year-old tooth or the removal of a large cyst in the jawbone.

What are the complaints that require root canal treatment?

Spontaneous pain in the tooth, Pain that increases at night and does not pass even with painkillers, Prolonged pain triggered by an external factor such as cold, hot or dental contact, swelling around the tooth, gum and/or related lymph nodes, Fistula caused by infection of the tooth or discoloration on the tooth. However, teeth that lose their vitality may not cause any complaints. This condition should not be perceived as a contraindication for root canal treatment.

What are the stages of root canal treatment?

The average duration of a root canal treatment is one hour. The stages in this process are as follows:

1- Narcotisation of the relevant tooth with anaesthesia.

2- Isolation of the tooth from the oral tissues.

3- Preparation of the cavity for access to the root canals.

4- Determination of working length of the root canal length

5- Cleaning, shaping and disinfecting the root canal cavity

6 -Filling the root canal cavity tightly and making permanent or temporary filling to the tooth Supporting these procedures with radiography.