Endodontics

Treatment of the tooth root canals is called endodontics. A tooth consists of the hard top layer (enamel and dentin) with the nerve and blood vessels inside. If a tooth is deeply damaged by caries, cracked, broken or treated improperly many times, bacteria reaches the inside and infection covers the nerve and blood vessels. The tooth becomes very sensitive to hot and cold food, painful when chewing or being touched and acquires a greyish shade; the gums swell, become inflamed and an unbearable toothache may develop. Sometimes endodontic treatment is required without any visible tooth defects or symptoms. However, the infection may also slowly damage the nerve without causing any pain, spread through the tooth root into the surrounding bone and erode it, and thus the inflammation extends.

Tooth canals which have been treated previously may also require endodontic treatment. If the root canals are poorly sealed and bacteria can access them repeatedly, inflammation may develop again, spread beyond the tooth and erode the bone. In such cases, endodontic retreatment is performed: the old canal filling is removed, the cavity is cleaned, sterilised and filled in tightly with a new filling.

How is this performed?

• An odontology specialist performs an examination, evaluates the complaints of the patient, takes a tooth x-ray image and decides whether endodontic treatment is required or not.

• Local anaesthesia is applied so the procedure is painless.

• The tooth tissues affected by caries are removed and the inner cavity of the tooth with the nerve and blood vessels is accessed.

• The cavity and canals are cleaned using special very small instruments to remove the nerve and blood vessels destroyed by the infection. The cavity is also disinfected to kill the bacteria inside it.

• If the infection extends to the bone around the tooth, the tooth is treated with medicines. The medicines are left in the tooth at least for a week. They may need to be replaced several times, if necessary, so several visits may be required.

• If the infection is not widespread and has not damaged the bone, the tooth canals can be filled with a sealant at once to prevent repeated occurrences of inflammation.

• As the canals are sealed, the tooth is filled in with a filling that matches the natural colour of the tooth or with a prosthetic crown is applied and then it looks and functions naturally.

• After a successful endodontic treatment, regrowth of the bone damaged by inflammation may require 6 months or more. All other symptoms gradually disappear within several days or weeks.

The DentalPRO clinic uses a microscope in serious cases and in all cases of retreatment. It is an irreplaceable help in endodontics because it enables one to see with a larger and clearer view. This improves the preciseness of the work, prevents possible complications and ensures excellent treatment results.

The endodontists of the DentalPRO clinic will explain the possibilities, necessity, course and safety of any of the above procedures and answer all your questions during your consultation.