Root Canal Treatment

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is a treatment method applied when the pulp (the nerve and blood vessel network that nourishes the tooth) inside the tooth becomes inflamed, infected or damaged. With this treatment, the pulp, which is the living part of the tooth, is cleaned and the tooth is restored to a healthy state.

Root canal treatment plays an important role in saving teeth. The pulp inside the tooth is a tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. Cavities, cracks or injuries deep within the tooth can cause the pulp to become infected. 

Root canal treatment cleans the inside of the tooth, removes the infection and prevents the tooth from dying. This allows the tooth to continue functioning normally.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?

Root canal treatment is usually necessary in the following cases:

1. Deep Tooth Decay: If tooth decay progresses to the pulp, it must be treated. In this case, the infected area is cleaned with root canal treatment and the tooth is saved.

2. Broken or Cracked Teeth: Serious breakage or cracking of the tooth can damage the pulp. Root canal treatment can save the tooth in such cases.

3. Excessive Sensitivity to Hot or Cold: Excessive sensitivity to hot or cold may be a sign of pulp inflammation. Root canal treatment can help treat this condition.

4. Tooth Pain: Constant pain and discomfort can often be a sign of an infection inside the tooth. Root canal treatment is an effective method for relieving this type of pain.

5. Infection: An infection inside the tooth can lead to tooth loss. Root canal treatment cleans and treats the infected area.

How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

Root canal treatment is usually a procedure that takes several sessions. In this procedure, the dentist opens the upper part of the tooth and cleans the pulp inside the tooth. Below you can find step-by-step instructions on how root canal treatment is performed:

1. Application of Anaesthesia

Root canal treatment is usually performed under local anaesthesia. Thanks to the anaesthesia, the patient does not feel any pain during the treatment. The tissue surrounding the tooth is numbed, which makes the treatment more comfortable.

2. Opening the cavity

The top of the tooth is opened to access the inside of the tooth. This procedure is performed carefully to avoid damaging the pulp.

3. Pulp cleaning

The infected or damaged pulp inside the tooth is carefully cleaned with special instruments. The dentist cleans all infected tissue to ensure that the tooth heals properly.

4. Shaping the tooth

Once the inside of the tooth has been cleaned, the canal is shaped appropriately. This step ensures that the tooth is clean and smooth enough to be filled.

5. Filling and sealing

After the canal is cleaned and shaped, the empty spaces are filled with a special filling material. This procedure keeps the tooth healthy and prevents it from becoming infected.

6. Placement of a Crown or Filling

At the end of root canal treatment, a crown is usually placed on the top of the tooth. The crown preserves the function and aesthetics of the tooth. If the tooth structure is good, a filling may also be placed.

When Is Root Canal Treatment Not Recommended?

Not every tooth is suitable for root canal treatment. If the tooth structure is severely damaged or the roots are damaged, extraction may be necessary instead of root canal treatment. Additionally, it is important to treat the tooth before it becomes infected for root canal treatment to be successful. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the success rate of root canal treatment.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment has many important benefits. These benefits play a major role in the choice of treatment:

1. Saving the Tooth: Root canal treatment offers the chance to save the tooth instead of extracting it. This is more advantageous both aesthetically and functionally.

2. Pain Reduction: Root canal treatment eliminates pain in the tooth. Constant pain caused by an inflamed pulp is treated, providing relief to the patient.

3. Aesthetic and Functional Solutions: Aesthetic restorations performed after root canal treatment preserve the normal function and appearance of the tooth.

4. Protection of Other Teeth: Root canal treatment preserves the health of the tooth, ensuring that neighbouring teeth remain healthy. In addition, if the tooth is extracted, implant or prosthesis procedures may be more expensive and complicated.

Risks of Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is generally a safe and effective treatment method. However, like any treatment, it carries some risks. These risks may include:

- Tooth Fracture: Due to the weak structure of the tooth, there is a risk of tooth fracture during root canal treatment. In this case, a prosthesis or crown may be required.

- Infection: There is a risk of infection after root canal treatment. However, this risk can be minimised with proper treatment.

- Complete Failure to Heal: Sometimes, infected areas remaining inside the tooth cannot be treated and the treatment may fail.

Care After Root Canal Treatment

After root canal treatment, certain care recommendations must be followed to ensure that the tooth heals and remains healthy:

1. Pain Control: Mild pain may occur after root canal treatment. Painkillers recommended by the dentist can be used to control this pain.

2. Food and Drink Selection: Hard or acidic foods should be avoided for a few days after treatment.

3. Brushing and Flossing: Careful brushing and flossing are recommended until the tissues around the tooth have healed after root canal treatment.

4. Check-ups: Regular check-ups with your dentist after root canal treatment are important to monitor the success of the treatment.

Cost of Root Canal Treatment

The cost of root canal treatment may vary depending on the location of the tooth, the duration of the treatment, and the materials used. Root canal treatment is generally priced according to the difficulty of the tooth and may vary. For our affordable cost of root canal treatment, please contact us now.