What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is the procedure of cleaning infected nerves inside the tooth canals, disinfecting them, and filling the canals with special filling materials when the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth lose their vitality due to cracks and fractures in the teeth, dental caries, incorrect treatment processes, or faulty restorations.
When Is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
- In cavities that have progressed to the tooth nerve
- In cases where fractures caused by trauma involve the tooth nerve
- When the tooth loses vitality due to excessive force applied during orthodontic treatment
- In advanced gum diseases
- To eliminate sensitivity caused by severe tooth wear
- In cases of high fillings or improperly fitted prostheses
How Can You Tell If a Tooth Needs Root Canal Treatment?
- Severe sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain occurring especially at night without any stimulus
- Pain while chewing
- Discoloration of the tooth due to nerve death
- Facial swelling caused by abscess formation
- In some cases, the need for treatment is detected during dental and radiological examinations without any symptoms
What Are the Stages of Root Canal Treatment?
- Local anesthesia is applied so that no pain is felt
- The decay is removed or the fractured part is extracted, and access to the tooth nerves is achieved
- The nerves and tissues inside the tooth root are cleaned
- The root canal is shaped up to the root tip
- Depending on the condition of the tooth, treatment may be completed in one session or require multiple sessions
- Between sessions, medication is placed inside the canal to promote healing of the canal and root tip
- At the final stage, the canal is filled up to the root tip with special filling materials
Is There Pain After Root Canal Treatment?
After treatment, mild pain and sensitivity, especially during chewing, may occur. Using a mild anti-inflammatory medication for a few days after treatment is generally acceptable.
What Should Be Considered During Root Canal Treatment?
Nothing should be eaten or drunk until the effect of anesthesia wears off. During treatment, hard foods such as nuts and sticky foods like chewing gum should be avoided on the treated side. Tooth fractures are most commonly seen between sessions. Care should be taken to ensure that the temporary filling does not fall out between appointments.
Is Root Canal Treatment a Painful Procedure?
Since anesthesia is applied during root canal treatment, the patient does not feel pain.
Does a Tooth with Infection Need to Be Extracted?
Thanks to modern materials and techniques used in root canal treatment, most abscesses at the root tip can be treated successfully, eliminating the need for tooth extraction.
Is Antibiotic Use Necessary in Dental Infections?
Under normal conditions, antibiotics are not required during root canal treatment. However, antibiotics may be prescribed in cases of advanced infection or severe sensitivity.
Are Root Canal Filling and Tooth Filling Separate Procedures?
Root canal filling is the process of cleaning and filling the root canal. Tooth filling refers to restoring the visible crown portion of the tooth using composite filling, inlay, onlay, or crown depending on the extent of damage.
What Is Root Canal Retreatment?
When performed under sterile conditions and correctly, the success rate of root canal treatment is between 90–95%. Failure may occur if nerve tissue remains uncleaned, if the root canal filling or the final restoration is inadequate, if microorganisms leak into the canal, or if perforations or fractures occur during treatment. Symptoms of a failed root canal include pain during chewing, spontaneous pain, swelling, and redness at the root tip. Failed root canal treatment can be retreated. If retreatment is insufficient, apical resection is performed to surgically access the root tip, remove the infection, and seal the area. If both retreatment and surgical intervention are unsuccessful, tooth extraction should be considered.