Endodontic treatment is a treatment procedure performed to save or repair an infected or decayed tooth. It is also popularly known as root canal treatment. The main purpose of the treatment procedures is to preserve the person's natural teeth. This department treats damages developing in the dental pulp and surrounding tissues caused by problems such as thermal sensitivity in the teeth, caries, infection, discoloration, abscess formation, and fracture.
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics, also known as root canal treatment, is a specialty field. In this field, endodontic treatment is performed by endodontists. There are nerves and blood vessels in the pulp section of the tooth. The pulp plays a significant role in the eruption and development of teeth. It also plays a role in reflecting dental problems as pain in individuals.
The pulp is located in the upper part of the tooth and in the spaces within the root canals. Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that treats the pulp, which consists of soft tissues formed by blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissue that play a role in the nutrition and sensitivity of teeth.
Endodontic treatments can be applied when the dental pulp is affected by caries for various reasons, when infection or inflammation occurs, or following traumatic events such as a crack or fracture developing in the tooth.
The main goal in endodontics is to treat the natural tooth without disrupting its structure. The aim is to save the tooth by preserving its health and all its functions.
How is Endodontic Treatment Performed?
While root canal procedures can be performed, regeneration treatment applications can also be carried out to preserve the vitality and naturalness of the tooth. Regeneration treatment aims at the development of living tissue inside the root of the tooth, whereas root canal treatment aims to preserve the natural tooth within the mouth.
Who is an Endodontist?
Dentists who receive specialized training in the endodontics department are called endodontists or endodontists. Endodontists are experts in tooth-saving treatments, including root canal treatment and surgical procedures, including the pulp.
He focuses on pain management methods in treatments and treatment applications aimed at minimizing potential pain that may be experienced while saving the tooth. Endodontic treatment refers to procedures performed by endodontists to preserve the individual's natural tooth structure.
Since endodontists are also experts in the field of pain management, he participates in procedures performed under local anesthesia. He uses modern tools to ensure that the individual has a comfortable and painless procedure during root canal applications.
How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?
Endodontic treatment is also known as root canal treatment. Treatment procedures are performed by endodontists. In a typical root canal procedure, he removes the pulp, cleans and shapes the root canal. The treated area is closed with a special instrument, and the treatment is concluded by subsequently making a crown.
Since the part to be treated and its surroundings are numbed prior to the procedure, no discomfort is felt. However, some mild pain may be experienced temporarily after the treatment. Generally, pain occurring during chewing disappears on its own after a certain period following the treatment. When sensitivity or pain complaints are experienced in the healing tissues after treatment, a dental specialist must be visited.
Root canal treatment can take place in different stages depending on the individual's condition, and he may visit the office several times. The treatment stages are as follows:
- If the treatment is performed on an anterior tooth, an opening is created at the back of the tooth; if it is performed on a premolar or molar tooth, an opening is created at the top of the tooth
- The problematic pulp is removed, and its socket and root canals are cleaned, widened, and shaped for the filling procedure
- If the treatment process requires the patient to visit more than once, a protective and temporary filling is placed in the individual's tooth until the next appointment
- If no other health problems are encountered in the treated teeth, he can perform all the functions of a normal tooth. In addition, similar complaints such as caries, infection, inflammation, fracture, and discoloration may occur, just as seen in natural teeth.
Procedures Performed in Our Endodontic Clinic
Emergency Treatment
Pain originating from endodontic causes is the problem most frequently encountered and complained about by patients. Secondary caries (decay in the tooth after a previously placed filling), carious lesions, and tissue damage constitute the main cause of pain. Conditions such as tooth fracture, tooth sensitivity, and root sensitivity are observed. Immediate intervention and treatment are applied to such conditions.
Retreatment of Root Canal Treatment
When symptoms such as sensitivity, pain, swelling, or discharge develop in the treated tooth after root canal treatment, and radiological differences such as periapical lesion formation and widening of the lamina dura occur, the retreatment may be necessary. The old root canal is removed, and a new root canal is prepared and filled again.
Vital Bleaching
By applying a whitening agent to teeth that have changed color due to any reason, it is aimed for the teeth to regain a more beautiful, white, and natural color, and the patient's aesthetic expectations are tried to be met.
Root Canal Treatment in Teeth with Periapical Lesion
If the patient does not visit the physician despite prolonged inflammation in the tooth, the infection spreads to the soft and hard tissues surrounding the tooth and causes damage. Bone destruction has occurred at the root apex of the tooth as a result of the infection. The developing caries is removed. The root canal is cleared of inflammations. Root canal filling and crown filling of the tooth are performed, and the patient is taken under follow-up.
Restorative Dentistry
It is a branch of dentistry and treatment methods that restore the aesthetics and functionality of teeth with fillings or filling-like applications. Within this scope, teeth whitening, cleaning dental caries and repairing teeth, and arranging composite and amalgam fillings are among the applied procedures.
