Healthy teeth have soft tissue where nerves and blood vessels pass through at the center. These nerves extend from the tooth roots to the root tips, protected by hard tissues called enamel and dentin. Factors such as decay, chemical and physical irritants, trauma, can lead to infection in this tissue. In such cases, severe toothaches, swelling, and abscesses that do not subside with painkillers and significantly limit life can occur.
The goal of root canal treatment is to clean the infected tissues in these root canals.
The cleaned space in the root canals is filled with a canal filling material, and finally, a tooth filling is done.
After root canal treatment, it is necessary to restore the teeth permanently and repair any loss of hard tissue.
With the correct techniques used in filling and capping after a well-done root canal treatment, it is possible to preserve dental health and keep the tooth in the mouth for many years. In this case, your doctor will determine the appropriate treatment and inform you.
HOW LONG DOES ROOT CANAL TREATMENT TAKE?
Teeth vary in shape from single-rooted to three-rooted, and they contain varying numbers of canals within the roots. Also, the size of the infection before treatment can vary.
Various conditions such as the position of the tooth, the patient's tolerance for treatment, the gag reflex, and the instruments used by the dentist can affect the duration of treatment.
Root canal treatment is a meticulous and detailed procedure that requires careful attention before, during, and after the treatment.
Therefore, it is a procedure that requires more time and patience compared to some procedures such as tooth extraction or filling. Your dentist will inform you about how long the procedure will take approximately and how many sessions it may continue after the initial examination.
DOES PAIN OCCUR DURING ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?
Local anesthesia is applied in all dental procedures except tooth whitening or dental cleaning. In other words, a small area such as the tooth and the surrounding soft tissue is numbed. When sufficient anesthesia is achieved, no procedure causes pain.
Contrary to what may be thought, root canal treatment is a painless procedure.
Some teeth may be more difficult to anesthetize than others. Additionally, the amount of anesthesia used may vary depending on the anatomical differences in the tooth canals.
No dentist wants you to experience pain during the procedure, and they know what needs to be done to ensure adequate numbness. You can trust your dentist in this regard and easily undergo root canal treatment.
IS PAIN NORMAL AFTER ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?
Healing of the tissues surrounding the tooth after root canal treatment may take from a few days to a few weeks. To assist in the healing of the tissues, it is necessary to avoid biting hard objects, consuming very hot or cold foods, and applying pressure to the tooth during this period.
The pain decreases over time and eventually subsides. Painkillers can be taken during this period, but if the severity increases, it may be necessary to seek the dentist's control.
During and after treatment, it is essential for the patient to pay attention to oral hygiene and dental care, as the formation of new decay and infection can negatively affect the treatment process.
It should not be forgotten that teeth treated with root canal and fillings may be more sensitive than a healthy tooth, and dental check-ups, which should be done every six months, should not be neglected.
Rarely, no improvement may be seen after root canal treatment, new infections and decay may occur if oral hygiene is not maintained, and fractures may occur due to weakening of the tooth. Therefore, it is important to follow your dentist's recommendations and take the necessary care.