Root Treatment
Root canal treatment is a dental treatment method applied in cases where the tissue called pulp located inside the tooth is inflamed or infected. Pulp is the living part of the tooth and contains blood vessels, nerve fibers and connective tissue. Inflammation or infection of the pulp can usually occur as a result of deep cavities, dental trauma or repeated dental procedures.
Root canal treatment involves cleaning, sterilizing and filling the inflamed or infected pulp inside the tooth. This procedure is usually performed by an endodontist (root canal specialist) or general dentist and includes the following steps:
Anesthetic: First, the dentist or endodontist applies local anesthesia for the patient's comfort. This ensures that no pain is felt during the treatment.
Access: An access hole is opened on the tooth. This hole allows access to the pulp of the tooth and creates the necessary working area for the treatment.
Pulp Cleaning: The dentist or endodontist carefully cleans the inflamed or infected pulp. During this procedure, the pulp chamber and canals are expanded and shaped using special files.
Sterilization: The cleaned pulp chamber and canals are sterilized with a special solution. This step ensures that the infection is completely eliminated.
Filling: After root canal treatment, the inside of the tooth is filled with a filling material. This filling material is usually a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. The filling material is placed tightly to reduce the risk of re-infection of the canals.
Restoration: After root canal treatment is completed, the access hole opened in the tooth is closed and a suitable restoration is applied to restore the normal function of the tooth. The restoration is usually done with a filling or dental crown.
Root canal treatment can usually be completed in one or more visits. After treatment, the dentist or endodontist gives the patient proper care instructions to maintain the results of the treatment and to maintain the health of the teeth. These instructions usually include regular dental check-ups, good dental hygiene habits and dental preventive measures.
Root canal treatment can help preserve the natural tooth by preventing the tooth from being extracted. However, successful results are not achieved in every case and in rare cases, treatment may fail or re-infection may occur. Therefore, it is important to follow your dentist's recommendations carefully and have regular check-ups.
