Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment)
What Does Endodontics Do?
The dental pulp is a sensitive area containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. Inflammation can occur due to deep decay, trauma to the tooth, and repeated dental treatments. In such cases, an endodontist should be consulted.
Endodontists most commonly perform root canal treatment . During this procedure, the damaged or infected pulp and nerve are removed. If left untreated, inflammation of the pulp can occur, resulting in pain and tooth death. The ultimate goal of endodontics is to save the tooth before it has to be extracted.
In what cases is endodontic treatment applied?
Endodontic treatment may be performed in cases of advanced dental caries affecting the pulp or trauma to the tooth. The pulp can be damaged by periodontal disease and trauma to the tooth. Exposure to bacteria can lead to infection and advanced decay.
Situations where endodontic treatment is used include:
Progression of tooth decay to the pulp
Tooth trauma (e.g. damage to the pulp from a blow)
Death of the pulp as a result of repeated procedures on the same tooth
For support purposes before a crown is placed on a severely damaged tooth.
It is not possible to extract the tooth for some medical reasons.
Sensitivity to extreme heat and cold
How Long Does Endodontic Treatment Take?
While the procedure can generally be completed in 30 to 60 minutes for single-rooted teeth, it can take up to 1.5 hours for multi-rooted or severely infected teeth. However, the duration of endodontic treatment can vary depending on the tooth's structure and the degree of infection. In some cases, particularly in cases of re-rooted root canal treatment or advanced infections, treatment may take several sessions. Thanks to digital imaging and microscopic treatment techniques used in modern clinics, the process is both faster and more comfortable.
Healing Process After Endodontic Procedure
The recovery period after root canal treatment varies from person to person, but is generally quite comfortable. Mild pain or tenderness may be experienced in the first 24 hours after the procedure. However, these symptoms usually subside within a few days. Simple painkillers prescribed by your doctor are sufficient for pain management. The average recovery time ranges from 2 to 7 days. Complete recovery of the soft tissues surrounding the tooth can take several weeks. During this period, avoiding hard foods, maintaining good oral hygiene, and regularly attending regular checkups recommended by your doctor will accelerate healing.
What are the symptoms that require root canal treatment?
If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you may need to see an endodontist:
Spontaneous Pain: Throbbing and severe toothache, especially starting at night.
Long-Term Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks that begins and does not go away within seconds after contact.
Chewing and Pressure Pain: Sharp pain that occurs when eating or touching the teeth.
Swelling (Abscess): Swelling reflected in the gum of the relevant tooth or on the face.
Color Change: Gradual darkening of the color of the tooth (greying or bruising) as a result of the death of the inside of the tooth.
Important Note: Sometimes, when the inflammation becomes chronic, the pulp completely dies and the pain disappears. The cessation of pain does not mean the problem is gone; on the contrary, the infection may be silently continuing to erode the bone. This is why regular dental checkups are so important.
How is Root Canal Treatment Performed? (Step-by-Step Treatment Process)
In our clinic, root canal treatment is performed in the following stages by our specialist physicians and modern technology:
Diagnosis and Planning: First, a digital X-ray or, if necessary, a 3D Dental Tomography (CBCT) scan of the affected tooth is taken. This clearly visualizes the root canal structure and the extent of the infection in the bone.
Anesthesia and Isolation: The tooth and surrounding area are completely anesthetized using digital anesthesia. You won't feel any pain during the procedure. Then, a special rubber dam (rubber dam) isolates the tooth from other tissues and saliva in the mouth. This keeps the treatment area sterile and prevents the disinfectants we use from getting into your mouth.
Cleaning the Root Canals: A small incision is made in the upper part of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. The nerve tissue (pulp) is carefully removed using special rotary instruments (files).
Disinfection and Shaping: Root canals are measured to the nearest millimeter using electronic devices called "Apex Locators." The canals are then flushed with special disinfectant solutions to remove bacteria and prepare them for filling.
Filling the Root Canals: The disinfected canals are filled with a biocompatible filling material called "Gutta Percha", sealing it all the way to the root apex.
Permanent Restoration (Filling or Veneer): After the root canal treatment is completed, the superstructure of the tooth is restored with an aesthetic composite filling or a Porcelain/Zirconium Veneer that will completely surround the tooth and prevent it from breaking, depending on the amount of material loss.
Root Canal Treatment vs. Tooth Extraction
"Wouldn't it be better to have my tooth extracted rather than deal with a root canal?" This is a question we often hear from our patients.
Our answer is clear: No artificial denture or implant can replace your own natural teeth.
Having a tooth extracted;
It impairs chewing function.
It causes the teeth on the sides to shift towards that space and cause crowding.
It causes aesthetic loss.
More expensive treatments such as implants or bridges are needed to fill the resulting gap.
Root canal treatment is the healthiest, most protective and most economical solution that prevents all these problems and protects your own teeth.
Endodontic Treatment at Vien Denta
Saving your tooth is our top priority. At our clinic, root canal treatment is performed by endodontists or highly experienced dentists. We utilize the latest technology to maximize treatment success:
Rotary Tool Systems: Provides fast, safe and complete cleaning of channels.
Apex Finders: Prevents incomplete or incorrect treatment by locating the root apex millimetrically.
3D Tomography (CBCT): Detects extra canals or complex root structures that cannot be seen on normal x-rays.
Digital Anesthesia: Provides a painless procedure guarantee.
Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment) FAQ
Q: What is a root canal? Can it save a tooth? A: A root canal is a treatment performed when the nerve tissue (pulp) inside a tooth becomes inflamed or dead due to deep decay, trauma, or a crack. The inflamed nerves are removed, and the canals are cleaned, disinfected, and filled. This treatment is a crucial procedure that relieves the tooth from pain and prevents it from being extracted, allowing it to remain in the mouth.
Q: Is root canal treatment a painful procedure? A: No. This is the most feared and misunderstood issue by patients. Thanks to modern anesthesia techniques, patients experience absolutely no pain during root canal treatment. On the contrary, root canal treatment relieves you of severe tooth pain.
Q: How many sessions does root canal treatment take? Can it be completed in a single session? A: It depends on the condition of the tooth. If the tooth is vital and there is no acute infection (abscess), it can usually be completed in a single session. However, if there is a widespread infection or abscess, it may be necessary to place a medicated dressing in the root canals and wait a week; in this case, the treatment will require two sessions.