WHAT IS ENDODONTICS ?
Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry. Physicians of the Department of Endodontics, which is often referred to together with Root Canal Treatment, are called endodontists. To better understand what endodontics is, it is important to have a basic knowledge of dental anatomy. The teeth in the mouth, which is the first organ of the digestive system, are the living tissues where the first movement of digestion is made. The part of the teeth that is visible in the mouth is called the crown (the crown of the tooth), while the part that remains in the jawbone is defined as the root. The top layer of the crown, which is the visible part of the tooth, contains enamel, one of the hardest tissues in the body. The part of the tooth that is inside the gum is surrounded by the jawbone. However, there is a layer called cement around the root part. The dentin layer is under the enamel and cement layer surrounding the tooth and root. There are nerve endings in the dentin region, which is the largest layer surrounding the tooth. These nerves, which are not found in the enamel layer, play a role in the pain mechanism. Under the dentin layer is the pulp. In the pulp part of the tooth, there are dense nerves and veins. The pulp, which plays an important role in the eruption and development of teeth, has an important place in the perception of dental problems as pain by the person. Every person has a large number of bacteria in their mouth. These bacteria, when combined with the foods taken into the mouth, allow the formation of oral acids. When oral hygiene is not taken care of, these bacteria multiply and damage the tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. If enamel caries, which can also be defined as superficial caries, is not treated, bacteria continue to multiply and over time pass into the dentin area under the enamel layer. In this situation, which causes the person to feel pain, if the tooth is not properly intervened, the caries reaches the pulp and causes inflammation by destroying the vessels and nerves in this area. Another factor that causes inflammation in the pulp region is trauma. One tooth squeezing the other, blows to the tooth from the outside are examples of these traumas. Especially in traumas caused by external blows, veins and nerves coming from the root of the tooth may break. This situation, which causes the tooth to lose its vitality, can lead to inflammation of the pulp. In addition, periodontal or in other words, diseases affecting the gum and its surroundings can also cause inflammation of the pulp. In such cases, symptoms such as toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold foods, pain during chewing can be seen. In addition, swellings of different sizes can be observed in the face area. In such cases, the person is at risk of losing their tooth. However, thanks to root canal treatment, which is one of the endodontic treatments, the person can avoid losing their tooth and use the treated tooth in a healthy way for many years. In this context, endodontics and root canal treatment have become synonymous. Frequently asked questions “What is endodontics?” This question can be answered in this way. Root canal treatment is a treatment method applied to destroy the existing infection in the tooth and to save the tooth. Root canal treatment applied to teeth that are at risk of recession is performed in sessions under local anesthesia. Although the average treatment period lasts for 2 to 3 sessions, this period may increase depending on the nature of the infection. In the endodontic treatment, where each session takes about 1 hour, after the bacteria causing the infection are completely cleaned, the root canal is filled and the upper part of the tooth is closed with a crown and the treatment is completed. In this state, although the tooth is more fragile than natural teeth, it can be used for a lifetime.
WHAT DOES ENDODONTICS TREATMENT DO ?
Endodontics department physicians basically aim to preserve the person's natural teeth. For this, it tries to protect the existing tooth in the mouth as much as possible and keep it in the mouth. In the endodontic clinic, damage to the dental pulp and surrounding tissues due to reasons such as caries, fractures, infection and trauma is treated. For this purpose, the endodontist can apply root canal treatment as well as regeneration treatments to preserve the vitality of the tooth. While it is aimed to create living tissue inside the root of the tooth with regeneration treatment, it is aimed to protect the natural tooth in the mouth in root canal treatment.
HOW IS ENDODONTIY (CANAL TREATMENT) DONE ?
Endodontic treatment is performed by disinfecting the cavity formed by removing the vessels and nerves in the pulp of the tooth, known as dental pulp among the people, expanding the existing canal structure and closing the gaps formed in the canals with a special filling material. In this context, for root canal treatment, first of all, the problem in the tooth should be determined by dental examination and radiological imaging methods. After the endodontic treatment is decided, the physician applies local anesthesia to reduce the feeling of pain. First of all, the caries in the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth are cleaned and the path to the pulp is created. When necessary, the tooth is checked again with radiological imaging methods and the microorganisms in the root canal are destroyed with the help of special tools. After this process, the root canal is disinfected. The cleaned canal space is closed with filling materials and the upper part of the tooth is closed with a crown and the treatment process is terminated. As a result of the procedures performed during root canal treatment, the relationship between the tooth and the surrounding tissue is cut. Thus, the risk of occurrence and recurrence of a possible infection is reduced. Even if the tooth is dead after endodontic treatment, it performs the chewing function without any problems. In addition, the jawbone located under the tooth is actively used. This helps prevent jaw bone meltdown. Restoring the tooth after root canal treatment increases the life of the tooth. In other words, teeth that have undergone root canal treatment but are not restored are more fragile than healthy teeth. For this reason, the tooth is completely covered with a porcelain, ceramic or metal crown to protect the tooth undergoing root canal treatment and prolong its life. The restored tooth may be sensitive for several days following the procedure.