Due to the advanced stage of caries or inflammatory process, in case of pulpitis and periodontitis, it is necessary to turn to endodontic treatment of the tooth root canals. This is a direction in dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of pulp (soft tissue inside the tooth, where nerve endings and blood vessels are located).
Root canal treatment is the restoration and preservation of a severely damaged or infected tooth, as well as the treatment of the bone surrounding the top of the root.
Indications for endodontic treatment
When the pulp becomes infected, when bacteria enter through a deep carious cavity or as a result of trauma, it can necroticize (i.e., die). When it is damaged or necrotic, blood flow and cellular activity increase. Severe inflammation begins, followed by tissue swelling and nerve compression. The increased pressure in the pulp does not find a way out and causes pain. Thus, when paying attention to a problem tooth, it can be localized or radiating to the ear, temple, or back of the head. But even if the pain has stopped, this does not mean that the problem is solved. The symptoms are gone, but if the cause is not eliminated, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone. This is how periodontitis occurs.
Root canal treatment consists of several successive stages:
Differential diagnosis – objective and auxiliary examination methods.
Effective anesthesia
Preparation of the carious cavity – removal of affected tooth tissues, old fillings, formation of access to the tooth cavity
Isolation of the working field with cofferdam from saliva, bacteria, aggressive solutions
The microscope allows you to qualitatively clean the root system under full visual control, as well as see cracks or perforations – those factors in which treatment does not make sense. The decision to remove is made at the initial stage, and the patient does not waste time and money on ineffective treatment.
Root canal filling is either thermophilic filling (heated gutta-percha) or gutta-percha condensation. These are methods that allow you to fill the root canal cavity tightly, leaving no room for infection. The mentioned materials do not shrink, do not change the color of the tooth and do not dissolve over time. This is important, because the durability of the saved tooth depends on the quality of treatment.
After the treatment, control X-ray diagnostics of the tooth is necessary, then routinely in six months, and then once a year for the next three years.
What does pain after root canal filling mean?
After endodontic treatment, a person usually feels a characteristic pain. It is tolerable and can normally last for several days, up to a month. Pain does not determine the quality of treatment and does not necessarily indicate complications. However, it is a good reason to consult a dentist.
What should I do to avoid complications?
In order to avoid negative phenomena due to endodontic treatment, the doctor should perform X-ray control. The image should not show any darkening or transparent areas of the canals. A properly filled root canal has perfect outlines and tone without any spots or translucency.
The patient also needs to follow simple rules:
- temporarily refuse hot food
- exclude spicy spices from the diet
- do not drink alcohol
- ensure a quiet leisure time
- refrain from physical activity in the gym
Thus, effective endodontic treatment consists in sealing root canals with filling materials. In modern dentistry, heated gutta-percha is used for this purpose. Since it has a liquid consistency when heated, it perfectly fills the entire tooth canal cavity, leaving no unfilled areas. Therefore, the methods of lateral condensation of gutta-percha and thermophilic filling practically do not cause complications. In addition, you should inquire about the qualifications of the dentist performing the filling. It is important to follow the rules of hygiene and doctor’s recommendations for the post-treatment period0