ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Gentle and Modern Dental Preservation-Yerevan
The damage of a tooth due to decay can lead to inflammation of the tooth roots. In our dental Clinic in Yerevan, Khanjyan 20, we always aim to eliminate this inflammation with the goal of preserving the tooth whenever possible. Thanks to state-of-the-art techniques, we can perform this dental treatment painlessly for the patients.
When is a root canal treatment recommended?
Among the main causes for a necessary root canal treatment is a decay condition that gradually destroys the tooth enamel. The bacteria erode the tooth structure and penetrate deeper into the tooth until they reach the tiny canals of the tooth root. Each tooth has at least one such canal, filled with tissue and blood vessels. Since the root canals are open at the bottom, prompt treatment should be sought in the event of root inflammation to prevent the bacteria from spreading further into the body through the soft tissue.
Symptoms of root canal inflammation
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Severe, throbbing tooth pain
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Sensitivity to biting pressure
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Tooth sensitivity to heat & cold
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Swelling in the jawbone
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Gum abscess
The goal of a root canal treatment is to remove bacteria and inflamed tissue from the tooth in order to preserve it.
Procedure of root canal treatment at the dentist
Root canal treatment is one of the complex dental procedures that usually requires multiple sessions.
Step 1: Local Anesthesia
The affected tooth is numbed using local anesthesia. Thanks to state-of-the-art anesthesia techniques, it is possible to perform root canal treatments with minimal pain in most cases.
Step 2: Opening of the tooth
Once the tooth is completely numbed, it is opened. The pulp chamber is then thoroughly cleaned.
Step 3: Locating & exposing the root canals
The root canals beneath the tooth are very fine, requiring meticulous dental work to locate them. The root canals are expanded and cleaned using a chemical flushing solution and the finest titanium files. This process aims to eliminate all bacteria, preventing further inflammation
Step 4: Sealing of the cavities
The cavities created during the treatment are then filled with a biologically very compatible material
Step 5: Restoration of the tooth crown
Once all root canals are cleaned and free of bacteria, the final step is the restoration of the tooth crown. Depending on how much of the healthy tooth remains, we either create a crown or a partial crown to stabilize the damaged tooth as much as possible.
The root canal filling as part of an endodontic treatment
Since decay is usually the cause of inflammation in the tooth root, the decay must also be removed as part of the root canal treatment. After completion of the treatment, the tooth is sealed with an appropriate filling to prevent the re-entry of bacteria and avoid recurrent inflammatory processes.
When is a revision recommended after a root canal treatment?
It may occur that a revision is required after what appears to be a completed root canal treatment. A re-treatment is necessary if the patient experiences pain again in the same area, to determine the cause. Additionally, it is possible that a root canal filling is not adequately sealed, allowing bacteria to re-enter the tooth.
Is root canal treatment very painful?
We would like to convince you in our dental practice that root canal treatment is no longer painful thanks to modern treatment and anesthesia methods. We can customize the dosage of pain medication to each patient. This ensures from the beginning that you no longer feel any pain in this sensitive area of the tooth. We can also adjust the anesthesia during the treatment as needed.
Post-treatment care of a root canal treatment.
Typically, multiple sessions are required until the root canals are cleared of bacteria and the tooth is rebuilt. Thanks to modern dentistry, patients experience minimal pain after the root canal treatment or take appropriate pain medication. After the tooth has been crowned, no special post-treatment care is necessary.
While the anesthesia is still effective, it is advisable to avoid very hot or cold foods. Also, refrain from smoking or taking blood-thinning medications. The sealed tooth is now bacteria-tight and can be gently loaded again. If you experience pain in the affected tooth in the days following the root canal treatment, please return to the practice for follow-up care.
What are the risks of a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a necessary procedure to prevent the spread of bacteria from the tooth to the entire body. The most common side effects of the treatment include painful swelling and discomfort after the session, which can be effectively managed with pain medication.
Furthermore, it is a relatively low-risk treatment that does not go beyond the usual risks of dental procedures. Mild gum bleeding may occur as a result of the treatment. However, it is not always possible to save the diseased tooth, so despite all efforts of the dentist, tooth loss may still occur.
Advantages and disadvantages of root canal treatment
Advantages
Depending on the diagnosis, it is always necessary to weigh which treatment option is the best choice. Thanks to state-of-the-art methods in dentistry, root canal treatment is successful in most cases and can preserve the tooth. Therefore, endodontic treatment is always preferable to other treatment options.
Depending on the extent of the treatment, the durability of the tooth after root canal treatment may be limited.
A root-treated tooth does not differ in appearance from natural teeth. Additionally, you can avoid the need for extensive dental prosthetics. The treated tooth can later serve as a very good support if neighboring teeth require bridges or other forms of dental prosthetics.
Disadvantages
Especially patients with dental anxiety hesitate to visit the dentist even when experiencing severe pain caused by inflamed tooth roots. A root canal treatment may involve multiple sessions, which can be scarcely imaginable for individuals suffering from severe dental phobia.
We can offer various options to make the root canal treatment more comfortable for anxious patients. The range of options includes mild sedation to full anesthesia, where you will not be aware of the procedure at all.
Root canal treatments for people with dental phobia (fear of dentists)
Patients who suffer from severe dental anxiety are among the risk groups for developing root canal inflammation. Because they often avoid visiting the dentist for years, cavities remain unnoticed. The longer a tooth affected by cavities is left untreated, the greater the risk of developing a root canal infection.
However, it doesn't have to come to that. We can offer affected patients various sedation options to experience the treatment completely anxiety- and pain-free. So don't hesitate to visit us and let us advise you on the options we can offer you for root canal treatment. Everything happens only with your prior consent.
