Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment)

Root canal treatment is a method used to repair or save a tooth that is seriously decaying or infected for this reason. During the procedure, the nerve and pulp, i.e., the tooth’s core, are removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, and it is filled.

The sooner root canal treatment begins, the greater your chances of saving the tooth. The longer you neglect a painful tooth, the more likely you are to cause the infection to spread to the surrounding tissues and lose the tooth.

For teeth that are painful, sensitive, or visibly decayed, it is safer for your health to see a dentist without delay.

How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?

To understand how a root canal treatment is performed, in which cases it is preferred, and why, it is important to know some basic information about the structure of teeth. Teeth consist of three main layers from the outside to the inside: enamel, dentin, and pulp.

The natural cavity located in the center of the tooth is called the root canal. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the root canal. This soft tissue is rich in blood vessels and nerves that nourish the tooth.

In ancient times, before technology had developed, whenever an infection or inflammation reached the pulp, it meant there was nothing more that could be done for the tooth, and extraction was the only option.

Today, thanks to technological and medical advances, it is possible to clean the pulp tissue inside the tooth and then refill the space.

Removing the pulp and the nerves inside does not prevent the tooth from fulfilling its main function. This is because once teeth emerge from the gums and take their final shape, the nerves inside are no longer vital for survival.

In adults, the only role of these nerves is sensory, such as detecting hot and cold sensations.

When the pulp and the nerve tissues inside a tooth become damaged, they break down, and bacteria begin to multiply in that area. As a result, an abscess and severe infection can develop.

An abscess can be described as a pus-filled swelling that forms at the end of the tooth roots.

If cavities are left untreated, such conditions can lead to more serious problems. A prime example of this is bone loss around the root of the tooth.

How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take in Izmir?

Among the most common questions about this treatment are how it is performed, how long it takes, and whether it is painful. These factors generally depend on the severity of your dental problem and the overall condition of your tooth.

The most accurate information will, of course, be given to you after an examination by your dentist. However, to provide a general overview, root canal treatment is usually carried out in one or two sessions after assessing the damage in the tooth.

If the infection in your tooth is widespread, the treatment may require up to three sessions. This procedure is performed either by a general dentist at the clinic you visit or by an endodontist.

An endodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases of the dental pulp (the tooth’s soft tissue) and the tooth nerves.

What Are the Stages of Root Canal Treatment?

The first step in a root canal treatment is taking an X-ray. This allows the dentist to see the shape of the root canals and determine whether there is any infection or sign of infection in the surrounding bone.

After the necessary examination, your dentist or endodontist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth.

In fact, anesthesia may not always be required since the nerves are already dead. However, most dentists or endodontists prefer to numb the area so that the patient can remain comfortable and relaxed during the procedure.

Following this, your dentist places a waterproof material around the tooth to keep the treatment area dry and free from saliva.

The next step is to create an opening in the tooth in order to reach the infected area.

Inside the tooth, bacteria, along with the pulp, decayed and non-functional nerve tissues, and any infected debris, are removed.

To ensure proper cleaning and effective filling of the canal, the canal must be widened. For this process, special instruments resembling nail files, known as endodontic files, are used.

This process is called root canal filing. Since the nerves have already been removed, the patient does not feel any pain during this step.

To both clean the inside of the tooth and flush away debris that accumulates during filing, water or sodium hypochlorite solutions are used periodically.

Once thorough cleaning has been ensured, the tooth is sealed. In some cases, dentists or endodontists may prefer to wait about a week before permanently filling the tooth if they suspect any remaining infection. In such cases, a special medication is placed inside the tooth to eliminate infection.

However, some dentists prefer to permanently seal the tooth on the same day the cleaning is completed.

If the root canal treatment is not completed on the same day, the dentist places a temporary filling inside the cavity to prevent saliva, food, or other debris from entering until the next session.

Once the inside of the tooth is completely clean, filling the space is essential to prevent reinfection and to strengthen the tooth. For this, a rubber-like material called gutta-percha is used.

This material, which resembles a thin stick, is a safe compound that does not cause any reaction in the body.

Before placing the gutta-percha, the canal is checked to ensure it is properly dried. If needed, paper points are used to absorb moisture, and the length of the canal is measured with a special instrument.

After determining the correct length, the gutta-percha is adjusted accordingly, and any excess is trimmed with heat.

Although gutta-percha is the main material used to fill the canal, additional sealing compounds are applied to fix it in place and prevent leakage. Finally, the opening created in the tooth is sealed.

With this, the root canal treatment is completed. Depending on the level of damage, a restoration technique — commonly referred to as a filling — is applied. The correct application of this restoration is one of the key factors for the success of the root canal treatment.