Endodontics
Root canal treatment is necessary when the tooth pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, becomes inflamed or infected. Inflamed pulp is one of the most common causes of severe dental pain, but the treatment itself is painless. Local anesthesia is administered, the inflamed pulp is removed, the canal is disinfected, and at the end of the treatment, the canal is filled with a sealant. The endodontic procedure is typically completed in one visit, but in cases of severe inflammation, it may require several visits. If you postpone the endodontic treatment, the pain and swelling may worsen, and the tooth may eventually require extraction
Pulp inflamation is common in those cases:
- teeth with deep and untreated caries
- interdental caries – caries between teeth
- caries under big fillings that do not seal the tooth cavity properly
- in teeth with repeated dental procedures
- teeth that are covered with crowns and bridges, due to pulp necrosis
- fractured teeth
- tooth injury, even if there is not visible fracture line or crack
If you continue with regular dental check-ups and maintain proper oral hygiene, teeth that have been endodontically treated can be saved from extraction for a lifetime. However, if the tooth is missing a large part of its crown due to caries, the dentist will recommend reinforcement and a porcelain crown.
