What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is the procedure used to treat damage that occurs when decay in our teeth progresses to the nerves of the tooth roots.
Neglected decay can lead to the formation of acute or chronic infections. If left untreated, these infections can even cause erosion of the surrounding bone. We often observe intense and severe pain in patients who present with these complaints at our clinic. The most common misconception is that using medication alone can solve the problem. However, antibiotics or painkillers are not a solution to this issue.
Our solution to this problem is root canal treatment, which we will perform for you.
To summarize root canal treatment briefly, it involves cleaning the root canal nerves of the affected tooth with special instruments and solutions.
Once the decay and root canal are cleaned, contrary to popular belief, antibiotics are not usually necessary in 80% of cases.
Through meticulous root canal treatments that we carefully perform at our clinic, we achieve long-lasting, healthy results in teeth, preventing tooth loss for our patients. Otherwise, being subjected to incomplete applications done without experience can lead to tooth loss.
When is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
Root canal treatment is required primarily for deep decay and cracks in the tooth bone. When we observe that our patients' teeth have been damaged beyond repair, we prevent further damage by removing the tooth nerves. Thus, the biggest advantage of root canal treatment is to save a tooth from extraction and preserve the integrity of the tooth's bone structure. Some situations that require root canal treatment include:
- Swelling in the face and neck
- Persistent tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold temperatures
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Pimple-like sores on the gums
- Cracked teeth
- Swelling of the gums
- Deep decay
How is Root Canal Treatment Done?
Root canal treatment involves four main stages: elimination of decay and infection, shaping of the tooth canals, filling the canals, and restoration of the tooth's functionality with a filling. Depending on the condition of the tooth, treatment may take one or two sessions. The procedure followed during root canal treatment varies depending on the extent of the tooth damage. Before starting treatment, we take an X-ray of the affected tooth to evaluate the extent of the damage and ensure that root canal treatment is the best course of action. Once we are sure that root canal treatment is necessary, we numb the tooth and surrounding soft tissue to ensure a painless procedure. After ensuring that our patient does not feel any pain, we begin by removing the decayed tissue from the tooth, followed by thorough cleaning, disinfection, and shaping of the root canal. We then fill the root canals completely with a filling material to seal them. Since the infection has been eliminated, our patients no longer experience any pain in the treated tooth. If necessary, we place medication inside the root canals and wait for the tooth to heal before applying a permanent filling. In this case, we provide temporary filling for the tooth. In the next session, we remove the temporary filling painlessly and perform the permanent filling procedure, thereby relieving you of both your pain and infection.
Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
First and foremost, since the tooth will be numbed with local anesthesia during root canal treatment, the patient will not feel any pain during the procedure. The decayed tissues of the tooth and the nerves are removed. Depending on the healing potential of your body after the procedure, some of our patients may experience mild discomfort for 1 or 2 days, albeit rarely. This discomfort, if it occurs, can easily be alleviated with painkillers.
What to Consider During the Root Canal Treatment Period?
As mentioned earlier, root canal treatment is completed in one or two sessions. If a second session is required for your treatment, temporary filling is used between sessions. During the period with temporary filling:
- Avoid consuming sticky or hard foods like gum or nuts to prevent damage to the temporary filling and the weakened tooth.
- If your treatment is completed in one session, there are no specific precautions to be taken as a permanent filling has already been applied.
- If we recommend medication after your treatment, regular use will contribute to your faster recovery.
- You can continue your daily life with your permanent filling.
Post-Root Canal Treatment Care!
During root canal treatment, the nerves along with infected tissue are removed. Therefore, there is no sensitivity in the tooth to external stimuli. However, especially in cases where pain or infection is observed before the procedure, sensitivity may be felt in the tooth due to tissue inflammation after the treatment. This condition usually improves with the correct medications we prescribe.
After treatment, it is advisable to refrain from eating anything for at least one hour. Consumption of sugary foods known to cause decay in teeth should be minimized. Dental hygiene should be maintained by brushing teeth twice a day with the correct toothbrush and using dental floss once a day. It is essential to undergo general dental check-ups at least twice a year.
The success rate of root canal treatment is quite high. A tooth that has been properly treated with root canal treatment and receives regular care can be used for a lifetime.
