Endodontics is known to much of the population as “nerve killing” treatment. Endodontics is performed for teeth that are infected or severely decayed and that the root cause is part of the nerve of the tooth.
The endodontic procedure is completely painless and is necessary for the remediation of infected or abscessed teeth. These infections can occur for several reasons: caries, fractures or repetitive procedures with the teeth.
When do I have to have a root canal?
Although endodontics should not always be performed when these symptoms are present, these are some of the most common symptoms:
- Pain
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Sensitivity to touch
- Gum swelling and discoloration
Before any sensation of this type, it is essential to go to a good professional to diagnose the problem and offer the best solution to the pain. Some people do not present symptoms but they do need root canal treatment due to the poor condition of the tooth, for this reason it is recommended to visit the dentist at least twice a year.
Phases of treatment
The treatment consists of five phases in order to treat the infected tooth and leave it 100% clean. This treatment is usually performed in two sessions to clean and rebuild the tooth. Phases:
X-ray and diagnosis. It is essential to perform a previous radiography to make a good diagnosis of the problem. Once the affected part and its needs have been seen in depth, the treatment begins.
2. Local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is essential to numb the area to be treated so that the patient does not feel any discomfort during the process.
3. Pulp extraction. To access the nerve, start by drilling the tooth. This removes pulp, bacteria and decomposed nerve tissue. Then, the sides of the root canals are scraped and filed and the debris is removed with chlorhexidine or sodium hypochlorite.
4. Root seal. Once the tooth is completely clean and free of infection, the canals are sealed. For this purpose, a special sealing paste or a rubber compound is placed in the root canal of the tooth.
5. Tooth restoration. It is often necessary to place a crown or other restoration to protect the tooth that has been weakened or fractured by the severe infection.
Advantages of endodontics
Thanks to this treatment it is achieved:
- Avoid extraction of a natural tooth.
- Avoid halitosis.
- Recovery of chewing without discomfort.
- Prevent more expensive dental treatments.