Is there anything more unpleasant and frustrating than gum pain? Whether it is simple bleeding, gingivitis or periodontitis, it is always painful and annoying.
Fortunately, there are now several treatments to clean the periodontium and effectively treat the gums; however, one of the most effective ways is root canal therapy.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure for treating an infection in the center of the tooth. It is a curative treatment that can prolong the life of heavily damaged teeth by removing the dental pulp if the tooth is damaged or infected.
The pulp is formed by a connective tissue forming the mesh of a net that surrounds free cells with defense function, blood vessels, and nerve fibers. It occupies the central part of the tooth and reproduces its contours. It represents about one-third of the total volume of the tooth. The coronary pulp occupies the pulp chamber.
Symptoms before the root canal
A number of symptoms occur when the dental pulp is damaged including sensitivity to pressure, extreme temperatures and the appearance of an abscess. The tooth sometimes changes in appearance and color, and the dentist then finds that the patient needs to undergo root canal treatment.
However, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis by different tests and to check through X-ray the possible lesions at the root and the gums.
The procedure – Is it effective?
After establishing the diagnosis and confirming that a root canal is needed, the dentist plans to proceed with root canal therapy. If the infection is important, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment can be prescribed to the patient before the intervention.
The root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia. Even when the nerve of the tooth is dead or necrotic, the area remains sensitive. During the procedure, an operating field called dike is then placed around the tooth to prevent the introduction into the channels of bacteria contained in the saliva.
The first step is to eliminate the clogging and decay of the tooth. To reach the dental pulp, it is necessary to dig the tooth, then widen and clean the root canals. To do this, thin files are used to remove debris inside the roots. The advanced mechanized system makes it possible to carry out the treatment much more quickly.
The cleaning is finalized using a Sodium Hypochlorite based chemical solution called Zonite. The next step is to dry the root canal with paper cones.
Development and improvement of treatment procedures, as well as the introduction of new modern instruments and materials used in practice allows dentists to achieve a high percentage of success.
Therefore, a regular visit to a credible dentist or at least twice a year, daily cleaning of teeth with fluoride toothpaste and the use of dental floss will help prevent the development of complications and will keep your teeth healthy for many years.