It is a treatment method applied in cases where the nerve (pulp) inside the tooth is damaged or died that cannot be healed due to caries or trauma.
It is the process of removing the nerves inside the tooth, shaping the channels inside the tooth roots and cleansing them from microorganisms, and then filling the expanded channels. Restorations such as filling, porcelain crown inlay are made to the upper part of the tooth and the aesthetic and functional continuity of the tooth is provided.
Why is canal treatment performed?
It is used to clean the painful inflamed bad condition that may be lost due to caries or trauma, to keep all parts of the germs in the mouth for a long time, and to prevent further treatments that may force you both materially and morally due to tooth loss.
The remaining tooth by applying canal treatment in the mouth is dead in that area, but will continue to help chew as at least your own tooth, thus preventing the melting of the jaw bones while the bone in that area remains active.
- Impact to the tooth or jaw,
- Physical irritation caused by deep caries
- Advanced gum diseases,
- Filling and prosthetic structures made of high, not fully adjusted,
- Misapplied orthodontic treatments
Toothache causes?
When dental caries are formed, the deterioration of the hard tissues (enamel-dentin) of the tooth begins to deteriorate.When this decay begins to approach pulp, which is composed of veins and nerves inside the tooth, that is, living tissue, the acids caused by caries start to affect the pulp.
At this stage, the teeth start to show tenderness in the heat or pain that manifests itself especially at night. If not treated, the acids secreted by these bacteria kill the pulp. As a result, toxins (poisons) that occur as a result of the death of the pulp leak out through the narrow hole in the root end and spread to the jaw bone.
This creates inflammatory tissue, which we call abscess in the jawbone, and can cause loss of the supporting tissues of the tooth. Although gravity is a cheaper treatment method, the loss of a solid tooth creates a difficult gap to fill, making this a more costly and difficult treatment by bridge or implant. If you have a choice, it will always be your advantage not to lose your teeth.
Sometimes it is not possible to save teeth that have not been treated in this way for a long time with canal treatment. Then tooth extraction may be required. In order not to lose our teeth as much as possible, we need to provide oral care in the best way and to check the dentist every 6 months.
What is the life of the canal treated tooth?
Canal treatment is a treatment done to prevent tooth withdrawal and gives the tooth the last chance. As a result of a canal treatment performed under appropriate conditions, the tooth can function in the mouth for life. However, canal treatment teeth may be more fragile than natural teeth.
Is there a risk of canal treatment?
The success of a canal treatment performed properly and according to its rules is on average 90% - 95%. In case the canal device breaks in the root during treatment or if the root canals cannot be cleaned completely (root obstruction, etc.), the canal treatment is tried again, if not successful, surgical attempts are made to save the teeth.
How is canal treatment performed and how long does it take?
The patient is anesthetized and the cavity of the tooth is cleaned and a cavity is opened inside the tooth. The pulp chamber is reached and various processes are applied to clean the bacteria from this part of the tooth by entering the channels with special tools and disinfected.
then the inside of the pulp chamber and the ducts are filled with various drugs depending on the situation and closed with temporary filling. This procedure may take a few sessions. In some cases, canal treatment can be performed in a single session, while the treatment is prolonged because it is tried to be passed through dressings with abscessed, inflamed teeth. The canal filling is finished after the tooth heals. How long this period will be depends on the condition of your tooth.
Things to watch out for during canal treatment
Do not use your teeth to chew hard foods between canal treatment sessions. Your tooth may break because there is temporary filling in your tooth.
You can complain of pain between sessions, contact your doctor for dressing.
There may be swelling on your face between sessions. There is nothing to worry about, this is a reaction caused by microorganisms and is corrected by dressings. Tell your doctor.
What happens after canal treatment?
You may complain of pain when you press on your tooth as the inflammation in natural tissues will take several days after your canal treatment is finished. You should not be burdened in that area during this period. After a while, your complaint will pass, if necessary, you can use pain medication recommended by your doctor. If this does not go away and continues to increase, consult your physician in this regard.
As the canal treated teeth lose their vitality, their flexibility decreases. Therefore, the risk of breakage afterwards is very high. Please consider your doctor's recommendations for the most suitable restoration that will allow you to use this tooth for a long time. If your tooth is filled with root canals, if there is not much substance loss, normal filling, if there is a loss of substance, porcelain filling (inlay) is needed to support your remaining dental walls and prevent them from breaking in the future. If you have no dental wall left, it is best to make a post with support from your root canal and cover it with crowns.