Microscope-Assisted Root Canal Treatment Ensures Precision and Effectiveness.
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontics, is a branch of dentistry that deals with the treatment of irreversible pulp inflammations and diseases of periapical tissues. The pulp is the soft tissue that fills the inside of the tooth, containing blood vessels and nerves, commonly referred to by patients as the tooth’s nerve. Periapical tissues refer to the thin membrane located between the tooth and the bone, which holds the tooth in the bone and cushions its movements during biting. Root canal treatment is necessary in the case of irreversible nerve damage caused by decay, mechanical damage, or a tooth fracture. An indicative symptom of pulp inflammation is a very intense, throbbing, and radiating pain. The goal of endodontic treatment is to completely remove the dead or infected pulp from the root canals and fill the resulting free space with a special material. This eliminates the cause of infection and pain.
Thermoplastic, so-called three-dimensional (3D) filling of the canal with warm gutta-percha
Very precise filling of the canals is key to success in endodontics. The most technologically advanced devices allow for filling with thermoplastic methods – this is the so-called three-dimensional (3D) filling of the canal with warm gutta-percha.
Gutta-percha is a substance of natural origin, which is biocompatible, and therefore well tolerated by the body. It is introduced into the canal together with a sealer. Plasticized gutta-percha perfectly adapts to the irregular shape of the canal, ensuring a tight filling along its entire length. The material introduced by the endodontist reaches into all the recesses, allowing for a perfect seal. After the canal filling, X-ray examination should be performed once again – it will confirm whether the tooth has been properly treated.
In order to ensure the highest quality of services provided, we use a proven system of thermal filling of canals with gutta-percha.
What symptoms qualify a tooth for root canal treatment?
Untreated tooth decay penetrates deeper layers of the tooth. Initially, decay attacks the enamel and dentin, but over time it reaches the pulp, the soft tissue filling the inside of the tooth, commonly referred to by patients as the tooth’s nerve. Replicating bacteria cause inflammation in the pulp. The most common reason for a dental visit at this point is tooth pain. If the pain occurs sporadically, for example when drinking cold beverages or consuming sweet snacks, and the pain subsides after the stimulus is removed, it is likely an reversible, initial pulp inflammation. At this stage, the dentist can treat the tooth while preserving its vitality.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Currently, root canal treatment is not painful. However, it must be acknowledged that it was different in the past, leading to many myths about root canal treatment and fears of visiting a dentist, known as dentophobia.
During root canal treatment of teeth with a living pulp, local anesthesia is administered, effectively eliminating the pain associated with nerve removal. On the other hand, a dead tooth, devoid of a living pulp either due to previous inflammatory processes or prior removal of the pulp by the dentist, does not cause pain during treatment as it lacks nerve supply.
Currently, a dentist does not need to assess the progress of root canal treatment based on the patient’s reactions to pain. Advanced tools like an apex locator, which electronically measures the length of canals, and high-quality digital X-rays are used to evaluate the length and course of the canals. In complex cases, digital dental tomography is employed.
Moreover, root canal treatment not only is not painful but in most cases, provides immediate relief from tooth pain for patients.
How does typical root canal treatment proceed? How long does the procedure take?
Typical root canal treatment is performed in a single visit. After evaluating the X-ray, local anesthesia is administered. The tooth is isolated from the oral cavity using a rubber dam. It is cleaned of decay and the so-called tooth chamber, which is the cavity inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, is opened, allowing access to the root canals. (See the tooth cross-section here). Then, using various hand and machine-driven canal instruments, the dead or live pulp (the nerve) is removed from the chamber and root canals. Concurrently, the canals are thoroughly flushed with antibacterial fluids, completely removing pulp and bacterial toxins. The enlarged and disinfected canal is prepared for filling. After drying, the canals are tightly filled with biocompatible material, gutta-percha. The cavity in the tooth is filled with composite material. To evaluate the effectiveness of the conducted root canal treatment, a follow-up X-ray is taken. Treatment of a single-canal tooth takes about half an hour, while for multi-canal teeth, this time can extend to one and a half hours.
Root Canal Treatment in Łódź: In a single visit or multiple visits?
Root canal treatment in Łódź can be conducted in one or multiple visits, depending on the severity of the tooth's condition. Typical treatment without complications from the tissues around the root is usually completed in one visit. However, in cases where the root canal system is complex, an additional visit may be necessary. If periapical changes are present, requiring an extended healing period, or if root canal treatment is a retreatment, multiple visits may be needed to thoroughly clean and seal the canals.
Is tooth "poisoning" still practiced today?
Currently, there is no need for such a procedure. Root canal treatment in Łódź is carried out under local anesthesia. Devitalization of the pulp, colloquially known as "tooth poisoning," was a widely used method just a few years ago. During the visit, the dentist would open the tooth to apply the so-called devitalizing "poison" at the bottom of the cavity. It acted toxically on the tooth's nerve, causing a gradual death of the pulp. Typically, this process took about two weeks. After this period, the core root canal treatment could be continued.
Why does a dead tooth hurt?
A dead tooth is a tooth that doesn't have live pulp, commonly referred to as the nerve. The death of the pulp occurs due to mechanical trauma or advanced decay. A dead tooth doesn't hurt on its own because it is dead. The pain comes from irritation of the tissues surrounding the apex of the tooth. Periapical tissues are the thin membrane between the tooth and the bone, which holds the tooth in the bone and cushions its movements during chewing. A dead tooth may cause pain when biting, chewing food, and in extreme cases, even upon touching with the tongue. Such a tooth must be treated with a root canal. If left untreated, it can lead to swelling and abscess.
The term "dead tooth" is also used for a tooth after root canal treatment. Directly after completing the root canal treatment, tooth pain, especially when biting, may persist for a few days. This is a result of irritation to the tissues surrounding the root caused by the treatment process. Typically, the discomfort subsides spontaneously. If in doubt, it is worth contacting the doctor overseeing the treatment.
The appearance of tooth pain in a tooth that has already undergone root canal treatment may indicate an ongoing inflammatory condition around the roots. Most often, on the X-ray taken at that time, periapical changes and/or incomplete canals or additional canals are observed. Periapical changes occur due to the multiplication of bacteria that have entered the apex of the canals through inadequate filling of the tooth, a crack in the tooth, or through the gums. Such a tooth requires a repeat root canal treatment (reendo).