Root Canal Treatment

What is Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)?
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the treatment of living tissues (pulp) inside the teeth. Endodontic treatment ensures that the tooth is protected and reusable by cleaning and shaping the pulp damaged due to tooth decay, fracture, post-traumatic damage, gum diseases or erosion of tooth enamel, and filling it with special filling materials.

Endodontic treatment is commonly known as root canal treatment. This treatment includes removing the living tissue in the pulp chamber, cleaning the pulp chamber, shaping it and filling it with a special filling material. Endodontic treatment is used to treat toothache, tooth sensitivity, swelling, gum abscess and other dental problems.

Why is Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) Done?
It is done due to an infection or damage to the inner tissue (pulp) of the tooth. As the cavities and inflammations in the teeth progress, they cause the risk of losing the tooth as a result of reaching the dental nerves. At this stage, instead of pulling and losing the tooth, treatments aimed at retaining the tooth will be more appropriate. It is to restore the properties of the tooth with the restorations desired to be achieved with our treatment. Damage can occur due to trauma to the tooth, gum disease, or fillings in the tooth. This damage can affect the pulp tissue of the tooth and lead to infection. Infection of the pulp tissue as a result of damage can also cause toothache, swelling or tooth extraction. Clinically, we aim to restore the tooth in a healthy way. If the treatment is successful, tooth pain is reduced and tooth extraction is prevented. In this way, you can save the tooth and protect its oral health.

In which situations is root canal therapy applied?
Caries: The caries formed in the tooth can reach the inside of the tooth and cause infection in the pulp tissue.

Trauma: A trauma to the tooth can affect the pulp tissue and cause infection.

Gum Diseases: Gum diseases can affect the pulp tissue of the tooth and cause infection.

Fillings: Fillings made in the tooth may deteriorate over time and damage the pulp tissue.

Pain: Pain in the tooth may occur due to infection or damage to the tooth.

Swelling: Tooth swelling can occur due to infection or damage to the tooth.

Conditions that require root canal treatment usually occur with symptoms such as pain, swelling or tooth extraction. With an examination by the dentist, these conditions can be detected and the necessary treatment is applied.

How Is Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics) Performed?
First, we numb the area with local anesthesia. When we are sure that it is sufficiently numb, we remove the nerves of the tooth and disinfect the root canal. Then we fill the area with a tissue-friendly material. The upper part of the tooth is closed again. Structures such as crowns, inlays or onlays can be used to do this. These structures preserve the aesthetic appearance of the tooth and restore the strength of the tooth. We complete the treatment by restoring the tooth.