After formation of decays, it may be the case that you don’t feel pain immediately. As decay proceeds on the dentin, severity of pain increases gradually, until the decay deepens and approaches the root of tooth, then pain increases and lasts longer, and cannot be stopped by painkillers. In general, patients say they could not sleep till morning because of pain. In examination and x-ray results, we see a huge decay, hitting the dental pulp, and apply root canal treatment on the tooth. In general, people react to root canal treatment, as they think it will be very difficult and painful. In fact, many root canal treatments may be completed without almost any pain, as long as we work carefully and sterile. Although there are challenges caused by the tooth in some root canal treatments, such challenges are rather overcome nowadays, with the help of technological developments, such as the use of various devices, digital imaging, and microscope.
In sneaky decays requiring root canal treatment, when we remove the enamel using cutter, we meet a spongy soft pattern on the dentin that is destroyed by the decay. As we touch the sond on the decay, tip of the sond falls in the pulp room, showing that the decay hits the pulp, so root of the tooth is infected. Of course, in this case, we have to apply root canal treatment. In this process, also known as removal of nerves of teeth, we remove the dental pulp, and fill the root canal instead. While filling the canal, we expand the root canal and clean the remaining infected tissues using sodium hypo-chloride, so that the infection does not pass through root apex and spread into tissues within the bone. Thus, microorganisms have no chance to hold on to the root canal. Canal treatment requires sterile work. After emptying and cleaning the canal, we dress and fill the root canals with a tissue-friendly substance, sometimes severally during the same session. After the treatment, slight aches and pains are considered normal, which fades away within a few days in general.
After canal treatment is completed, tooth must be restored with filling, or porcelain crown if too much tooth tissue is lost.
Benefits of canal treatment: Tooth remains in the mouth, and it’s not extracted. Pain fades away after root canal treatment.Infection is prevented from proceeding towards the root and the jawbone.
