TREATMENT
Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is often done because the tooth's pulp is damaged or infected. The cause can vary, but usually it's due to tooth decay that has come too close to or in contact with the pulp. The treatment involves removing the pulp so that the pain/infection disappears and then filling the root canals so that they remain sealed. After a root canal treatment, it's always good to protect the tooth with a so-called crown.
What is a root canal treatment?
The tooth's pulp is located in the center of the tooth and consists of blood vessels and nerves. If you get a cavity attack in the tooth, or commonly called a hole in the tooth, and you don't fix it for a long time, it can result in the soft tissue in the tooth eventually becoming inflamed or infected. Then it's no longer possible to just fill the hole, but a root canal treatment will instead become necessary. Root canal treatment means that your dentist cleans.
What happens after a root canal treatment?
After a root canal treatment, the pulp tissue is gone from the tooth and the root canals have been filled with gutta-percha and sealer. In addition to the pulp being replaced with filling material, the tooth needs a construction above the roots that prevents the tooth from cracking or reinfecting the root canal. It's always recommended to make a crown on a root-filled tooth for the treatment to succeed over time.
Is root canal treatment always indicated when the pulp is infected?
No, if the tooth is so damaged that it can no longer be repaired due to a fracture or tooth decay, the alternative is tooth extraction instead. In such cases, the area must heal first and then an implant or bridge therapy is placed to replace the lost tooth.
How does the treatment work?
A root canal treatment sometimes requires more visits. In the initial stage, all tooth decay is removed from the tooth and the upper part of the pulp (pulp complex) to access all channels in the tooth. With the help of a rubber dam, the tooth is isolated from the mouth's other surfaces to avoid saliva and bacteria coming into contact with the root canal and to keep the environment around the tooth sterile.
Anesthesia is necessary and the amount of anesthesia needed depends on the condition of the tooth. If the tooth has an infection, more anesthesia is needed because inflamed tissue is not as receptive to local anesthesia. If the tooth has gone into necrosis, meaning it's dead, it's usually not experienced as painful. When the anesthesia works, the pulp is removed and then the dentist begins the filling process.
The filling material in most cases consists of gutta-percha, a natural rubber extracted from a special tree, and sealer which is a type of cement to really seal the channels. Your dentist will also use X-rays to ensure that the filling is tight. The tooth's crown is then filled with suitable material, often composite or glass ionomer.
A root canal treatment is a complicated procedure that places high demands on the dentist in terms of both precision and accuracy. In some cases - especially if the affected canal is curved - an endodontist, i.e., a specialist in root canal treatment, may need to perform the treatment.
After a root treatment, it's not uncommon for the patient to experience pain in the tooth. However, this pain is temporary and nothing you need to worry about. Usually, the pain is easily relieved with over-the-counter medications. However, if you develop a fever in connection with your pain, you should contact your dentist.