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Co to jest leczenie kanałowe

You're probably visiting this website because your dentist has said you need endodontic treatment, or a "root canal". If so, you're not alone. More than 14 million teeth receive endodontic treatment each year. By choosing endodontic treatment, you are choosing to keep your natural teeth as a healthy foundation for chewing and biting for years to come. Here is so information that is worth knowing.

What is endodontic (root canal) treatment?

“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment

To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is the chamber and root canal or canals depending on which tooth. The chamber and root canals are filled with a soft tissue called the pulp which contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. Root canal treatment revolves around the precise cleaning of the chamber and root canals from the infected pulp and then filling the canals with an appropriate material. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Why would I need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms and the patient may be informed of the changes in the pulp tissue as a result of changes seen on a dental x-ray.

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?

The dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, the tooth must be restored with a crown or other restoration in order to protect and regain full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Our doctors will provide you with detailed information.

Endodontic Procedure:

Endodontic treatment performed under a specialized dental microscope can often be performed in one visit. More complicated cases may require two or more visits.

Stages of treatment

1. The dentist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the dentist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure. The dental dam also secures the patient from swallowing or inhaling any small tools used throughout the procedure, thereby greatly increasing patient safety as well as the work comfort of the doctor.

   

2. The dentist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth and removes the inflamed or infected pulp first by using very small manual instruments and later by mechanical means. At every stage of the cleaning process we use something called an endometer which is an electronic tool indicating the depth of the small instrument within the root canal. Furthermore, throughout the mechanical portion of the cleaning stage we perform numerous canal rinsing with chemical substances, which permit the drainage of any remaining organic material and the disinfection of the root canals.

   

3. After the space is mechanically and chemically cleaned and shaped, the dentist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” In our clinic we use a heated form of gutta-percha as it very efficient in filling any potential branching or side canals. After the filling process is complete a temporary filling is placed until permanent restoration is achieved.

   

After the completion of your root canal treatment, a crown or other restoration must be placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. More information on crowns.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment?

You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so it should be fully restored as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and professional cleanings.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.

What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?

New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the dentist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure. More information on retreatment

Can all teeth be treated endodontically?

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics such as the dental microscope, new generation instruments as well as new age material are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost.