Within the tooth, beneath the hard tissues of enamel and dentine, lies the pulp – tissue containing blood vessels and nerves. The pulp, a vital part of the tooth, is responsible for nourishing the tooth and sensing external stimuli.
When decay progresses too deeply, bacteria entering the tooth can cause pulp inflammation, often leading to severe pain.
Neglecting pulp inflammation may result in the following:
When a tooth dies, and pulp inflammation occurs, the only way to save the tooth is through endodontic treatment, which involves cleaning the canals of dead or inflamed tissue.
The dentist, under local anaesthesia, isolates the tooth with a dental dam (a type of rubber shield) to prevent re-infection from oral bacteria and accesses the inside of the tooth. Dead or partially dead tissue is then removed, and the canals are cleaned with antibacterial agents. The final step is filling the empty canals with a filling material.
The treatment is performed using magnification tools like surgical loupes or a microscope.
The duration depends on the type of tooth – teeth have between one to even 5 or 6 canals.
Root canal treatment often requires more than one visit due to its complexity and, in some cases, the need to temporarily place an antibacterial dressing in the canals. However, we usually manage to complete endodontic treatment in a single visit.
IN 99% OF CASES, WE TREAT WITHIN 1 VISIT.
A tooth after root canal treatment is much weaker than a healthy, untreated tooth due to factors such as:
Due to these reasons, teeth treated endodontically are often unsuitable for traditional composite fillings. Recommended restorations include ceramic INLAYS, ONLAYS, or OVERLAYS, which strengthen the weakened tooth structure when bonded. In cases of extensive damage, a ceramic CROWN is the advised reconstruction method.
Some teeth treated with root canal therapy can cause pain and sensitivity. Symptoms of concern include:
Further diagnostic and radiological examination is required in these cases. Often, part of the canals remains untreated. The treatment involves removing the existing canal filling, thoroughly cleaning, and refilling. This procedure is performed using a microscope or surgical loupes.
The need for retreatment is often discovered during routine X-ray examinations, showing incompletely filled root canals or inflammatory changes under the roots, which may not exhibit clinical symptoms but can cause tooth weakening, general malaise, facial swelling, and potential tooth loss if not treated timely.
22 545 62 43
kontakt@odonto-klinika.pl
ODONTO dental clinic
ul. Hanki Czaki, local 9
01-588 Warszawa
entrance from Popiełuszki Street