Endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) is necessary when the nerve of the tooth is infected. Root canal treatment preserves the natural tooth rather than extracting it and replacing it with an artificial tooth. However, once the tooth is treated, it becomes more fragile.
In the center of the tooth is the pulp. It is composed of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. The pulp is responsible for the formation of the tooth during its development. The pulp can become inflamed and / or infected following a stroke (trauma), in the presence of a deep decay or when a tooth has undergone several repeated fillings. Some signs of pulp disease are:
- An exaggerated sensitivity to hot and cold
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling
- Gum pain
Root processing consists of:
- Removing the inflamed and / or infected nerve from the tooth
- Disinfecting and sterilize the channel (s)
- Sealing the sterile channel (s) with an inert temporary filling material.
Normally, root canal is not painful. The procedure may require one to two visits and is performed under local anesthesia.
After endodontic treatment, it is important to perform a permanent restoration on the tooth to avoid complications, such as a root fracture. A tooth that has received a root canal is more fragile than a natural tooth because the pulp has been removed. The tooth is dehydrated and can be broken more easily. The ideal restoration is a root pivot, to solidify the root and a crown.
