The pulp located at the center of the tooth contains nerve fibers, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When bacteria reach the pulp, it can cause pain, swelling, or increased sensitivity. To preserve the tooth, the infected tissue must be removed. A root canal treatment (endodontic therapy) eliminates the infection inside the tooth and prevents it from returning.
The primary goal of root canal treatment is to relieve the patient’s pain. The procedure involves removing the nerve tissue and blood supply from the center of the tooth, which in itself helps reduce pain. The infected tissue is removed, the root canals are cleaned, and then filled with a special sealing material.
Several symptoms can indicate pulp inflammation. The most common are tooth sensitivity, pain, swelling, and tooth discoloration. If left untreated, the infection can worsen, leading to increased pain and swelling. In advanced cases, tooth extraction may become the only option.
Root canals can be narrow, long, or curved, making them difficult to locate and treat. Therefore, a root canal treatment should be performed by an endodontist, a specialist in this field. The success rate of the procedure is very high.
During treatment, local anesthesia is applied to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. An access opening is created to reach the root canals, and the infected pulp is removed. Endodontic files are used to clean and shape the canals. After completion, the canals are filled with a sealing material.
The cost of root canal treatment varies significantly depending on the type of tooth, remaining tooth structure, and the anatomy of the roots. In any case, a root canal treatment is generally more affordable than extracting the tooth and replacing it with a crown or bridge.
Patients can return to normal activities the same day. After treatment, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent reinfection.
A root canal treatment preserves the natural tooth and eliminates pain, helping avoid tooth extraction. In some cases, after endodontic therapy, a veneer or crown may be required to reinforce the tooth.
This procedure is typically performed in cases of moderate to severe tooth decay. Although root canal treatment may seem scary or painful, modern dental technology has made it a comfortable and effective treatment method.
