Root canal treatment - IntroductionMaintaining our own teeth is the primary goal of all dental treatments. If heavy caries, inflammations, or infections spread to the dental nerves, there are often only two possibilities: the complete removal of the tooth or a root canal / root canal treatment which retains the tooth long-term as a functional chewing component. Despite all scientific progress in the area of long-term dental replacement, one's own tooth is always better than an artificial tooth. With this in mind, root canal treatment is usually the most highly recommended alternative. It is also necessary for preventing the spread of inflammation to the jawbone and further serious complications. Correctly executed root canal treatments exhibit high success rates and promise a working life-span that comes very close to that of natural, non-treated teeth.1
In a root canal treatment, the damaged pulpa is removed by the dentist and the dental canal is filled with a biocompatible, anti-inflammatory material. The tooth is then professionally sealed and remains as either a mastication component or as carrier for a bridge. A requirement for this type of root canal treatment is a thorough x-ray examination of the pulpa and the jawbone. Root canals which are too severely contorted can rule out root canal treatment because the dentist may not be able to penetrate into the base of the roots even with fine instruments.
The root canal treatment itself is carried out in several steps. First of all, the dentist must obtain access to the damaged root canal. The removal of inflamed and/or necrotic nerve tissue is then accomplished with the aid of a very fine extirpation needle. The root canal is then cleaned and smoothed very thoroughly. Naturally, this treatment is carried out using local anaesthesia. It is very important that the root canal is pre-measured precisely in preparation for subsequent filling - it must reach to the base of the roots, and no germs can remain behind during root preparation. Prior to final filling of the root canal, x-rays are typically prepared for monitoring purposes. After the canal has been smoothed, shaped, and rinsed with a disinfectant solution down to the tips of the roots, the dentist fills the tooth with an anti-bacterial medicine and closes it with a temporary filling. In the next days after the treatment, you should observe careful oral hygiene and refrain from alcohol or caffeine as much as possible in order to promote the healing process.
Insofar as no complications arise, the dentist will permanently fill the tooth during the next treatment session and seal it professionally. Depending on dental composition, dental fillings, dental crowns, or peg anchors may be taken into consideration. In about 75 to 90 percent of all cases, the root canal treatment completes successfully and the lifespan of the retained tooth scarcely varies from that of healthy teeth. In exceptional cases it may occur that not all of the bacteria could be removed from the root canal and that new inflammations arise as a result. The success of a root canal treatment should therefore be safeguarded through regular check-up examinations with your dentist.
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