We frequently hear about root canal treatment or endo treatment, but what does it mean, and when do I need it? To understand this procedure, we should first know the structure of a tooth. A tooth mainly comprises two parts, which are the crown and the root. The crown is the part of the tooth shown in the mouth, while the root is the part inside the bone, and that’s why we can’t see it except in pathological cases of gingival recession. Both the crown and the root have the pulp inside, which is the nourishing and innervation center of the tooth, which means that it contains all the nerves and blood vessels. When the tooth is exposed to unfavorable conditions, such as increased mouth acidity due to frequent snacking, decreased salivation, whether because of certain drugs or irradiation, and not brushing the teeth, it becomes inflamed. These factors lead to caries and pulp inflammation. That inflammation starts as being mild and reversible, which means that it will heal itself and return to its healthy, normal state. But when the stimulus increases and persists, inflammation also increases and makes the pulp incapable of returning to its normal state. Inflammation may also be non-microbial due to severe attrition or tooth fracture. What Causes You To Need A Root Canal? The pulp of the tooth is characterized by being irreversible at a certain point. When that happens, you need to undergo root canal treatment as soon as possible. If it’s left untreated, inflammation will spread to the periodontal ligaments and surrounding alveolar bone, causing many lesions. But, we’ve just said that the pulp contains all the blood vessels and nerves supplying the tooth, so does removing it conversely affect the tooth? Removing the irreversibly inflamed pulp protects the patient from further harm and also eliminates the sensation from the tooth. Concerning the blood vessels, the pulp vessels’ function is limited to the formation of the tooth, so once the tooth is formed, removing these blood vessels won’t affect the tooth except for increasing the brittleness a bit.

What Is A Root Canal Treatment Procedure? Root canal treatment, which is also called endodontic treatment, is the procedure of removing the irreversibly inflamed pulp and then filling the root canal with a biocompatible material to block the entrance of any bacteria. Root canal treatment is composed of three basic steps: 1- Removing the irreversibly inflamed pulp by special instruments called files 2- Cleaning the root canal from any residual bacteria and microbes with antimicrobial agents 3- Obturating the pulp cavity with gutta-percha When you arrive at the dentist’s office, the first thing they’ll do is give you the local anesthetic solution. Then they’ll begin to clean the crown part of the tooth from any caries. Moreover, the dentist will open an access cavity to the pulp and begin to remove it, that’s by manual files or endo motor rotary files, which is a newer, more effective, less time-consuming, and easier device for both the dentist and the patient. While working with the files, the dentist will clean the root canal using a hypochlorite solution that’s very effective in disinfecting the pulp cavity. Once the dentist makes sure that the pulp cavity is clean and disinfected, he’ll begin to obturate and close the tooth using gutta-percha, which is a biocompatible material, and that’s to prevent the ingress of any bacteria. After finishing the root canal treatment, the remaining lost tooth structure should be restored, and that’s according to its amount. If the amount is low, then composite direct restoration is used, but if the amount of loss is large, which is more common, then the dentist will make an endocrown or a conventional crown, and that provides a complete seal against bacteria and also strengthens the tooth and protects it against fracture.

How Long Does A Root Canal Take? According to the tooth’s state, which will be decided upon by the dentist, the treatment can be done in one or two visits. To be more clear, if the tooth is necrotic and severely inflamed, the tooth can’t be obturated in the same visit, and that’s to make sure it’s completely clean and disinfected. A single visit is more applicable in cases of vital teeth; there is no sinus tract, severe pain, or sinus swelling; patients whose compliance is problematic, or patients who may need sedation. Multiple visits are required in the event of complicated cases, retreatment cases whose success rate is low, and also for endodontic therapy of a traumatized tooth. Each visit may be 45 minutes to 1 hour long, and if it’s done in one visit, it may take 2 hours. Endodontic treatment comprises many steps, each of which should be done perfectly. Are You Put To Sleep For A Root Canal? Normally, root canal treatment doesn’t need general anesthesia or complete sleep as only the local anesthetic solution is enough, like in all other dental treatments. That doesn’t mean that we don’t use it at all. In some cases of root canal treatments, general anesthesia is preferred, and that’s if it’s done at a young age, uncooperative patients, disabled individuals, and some other specific cases in which putting the patient to sleep is a must.