The soft tissue in the center of the tooth and inside the canal is called the pulp or pulp. If a tooth decay progresses and causes infection or inflammation in the pulp, root canal treatment is required. During the treatment, the infected pulp is removed and the canal cavity is refilled after cleaning. In this way, the damage caused by caries can be prevented from spreading to other teeth and tissues in the mouth, and it can also be saved from the risk of decaying tooth extraction.
One of the most common reasons for patients requiring canal treatment is advanced dental caries. However, canal treatment may be needed for reasons such as tooth cracking, advanced gum disease or damage to the tissues in the mouth as a result of a blow to the tooth.
FAQ
Why is canal treatment needed?
Canal treatment, also called endodontics, is a treatment applied to repair decayed or infected teeth for various reasons. Dental caries, which have not yet deepened and can be diagnosed early, can often be repaired with filling treatment. However, cavities that are not treated in a timely manner can progress towards the root of the tooth, putting both the tooth and the surrounding tissues at risk. Canal treatment is applied in such cases to protect the other teeth and tissues in the mouth and to save the infected tooth.
If a caries that needs canal treatment is not treated on time, it can put oral and dental health at risk. For this reason, you should not neglect to visit your dentist for routine checkups, and if you suspect that your tooth is decayed, you should be examined immediately.
How make is canal treatment?
In the initial phase of root canal treatment, the dentist may take X-rays to see the patient’s root canals and to see how far the infection has spread. When the roadmap of treatment is determined, local anesthesia is applied to the patient. When the surrounding of the damaged tooth is completely numb, a hole is made in the tooth and all debris caused by infection in this area is removed. The root canal is enlarged and the debris in the canal is cleaned. When the infected pulp and inflammatory debris are completely cleared, the channels are filled with permanent substances.
How many sessions of root canal treatment will take depends on the level of infection in the patient’s tooth. If the treatment is completed in a single session, the hole opened in the tooth is closed with permanent filling materials. If the treatment lasts for several sessions, a temporary filling is applied to the cavity opened in the tooth. When the tooth is completely cleaned and there is no suspicion of infection, it is passed to the last stage. At this stage, the treatment is terminated with permanent filling application.
Canal treatment (endodontics) before & after
Canal treatment is a procedure that is mostly performed under local anesthesia. However, due to the application of anesthesia, it is not recommended for patients to eat or drink anything after the treatment until the effect of the anesthesia is completely gone.
In canal treatments that are not completed in the first session, patients should be careful not to damage the temporary filling tooth. Since the treatment may cause sensitivity in the area of the damaged tooth for a short time, it is recommended not to consume very hot or cold foods during this process. In order to protect oral and dental health after canal treatment, it is very important for patients to apply their oral care routines completely.
The goal of canal treatment is to save largely infected teeth. If you suspect that you have caries or an infection in your tooth, you can make an appointment with a dentist through our website and be examined as soon as possible.