Endodontics refers to the devitalisation of the tooth, i.e. the removal of the tooth’s nerve. This is the speciality that focuses on the inner area of the tooth, which is made up of pulp, nerves and blood vessels, and also includes the roots.
Endodontic treatment is therefore understood as removing the inflamed or infected pulp from the canals, disinfecting and filling them with a material that prevents bacterial proliferation.
You should consult an endodontist whenever there is pulp pathology, whether caused by caries, trauma or any other cause.
What are the benefits of Endodontics?
Endodontic treatment aims to preserve natural teeth not only aesthetically, but also functionally. The success rate for these treatments is around 95 per cent.
Its main advantages include:
Preventing tooth extraction;
Preserving the shape and function of the tooth;
Eliminating toothache;
Preventing the appearance of other lesions that could affect the gums and bone;
Avoiding the need for more expensive treatments.
What are the benefits of Endodontics?
Endodontic treatment aims to preserve natural teeth not only aesthetically, but also functionally. The success rate for these treatments is around 95 per cent.
Its main advantages include:
Preventing tooth extraction;
Preserving the shape and function of the tooth;
Eliminating toothache;
Preventing the appearance of other lesions that could affect the gums and bone;
Avoiding the need for more expensive treatments.
What types of endodontic treatments are available to devitalise a tooth?
There are two endodontic treatments aimed at devitalising a tooth: surgical and non-surgical.
Non-surgical treatment is carried out on the crown of the tooth, in the area where food is macerated. To do this, a hole is drilled which allows the endodontist to reach the inside of the tooth. From there, he will remove the nerve and bacteria present in these canals.
If access through the crown is not possible (for example, because the crown is artificial and should not be removed), surgery must be carried out, detaching the gum, making a small hole in the bone, in order to access the root and devitalise the tooth.
What types of endodontic treatments are available to devitalise a tooth?
There are two endodontic treatments aimed at devitalising a tooth: surgical and non-surgical.
Non-surgical treatment is carried out on the crown of the tooth, in the area where food is macerated. To do this, a hole is drilled which allows the endodontist to reach the inside of the tooth. From there, he will remove the nerve and bacteria present in these canals.
If access through the crown is not possible (for example, because the crown is artificial and should not be removed), surgery must be carried out, detaching the gum, making a small hole in the bone, in order to access the root and devitalise the tooth.
What are the main reasons for endodontic treatment?
Caries is the most common cause of tooth decay. Whenever a cavity isn’t treated in time or properly, the bacteria pass through the tooth, reaching the tooth’s nerve and causing inflammation.
This will cause pain in the tooth, which usually leads the patient to seek help from the endodontist. This is one of the cases in which devitalisation of the tooth is chosen.
When teeth suffer trauma and the dental pulp is exposed, the tooth breaks and the nerve is unprotected. In these situations, the tissue must be removed, the tooth devitalised and finally reconstructed.
Even when the nerve is not exposed, it may no longer be vascularised, which means that the nerve can “die”.
Periodontitis can also lead to the devitalisation of a tooth. In this disease, bacteria accumulate in the tissues that support the tooth, i.e. the gums and bone.
In these cases, the body itself causes bone and gum loss, which causes the teeth to wobble.
If devitalisation is unsuccessful and bacterial infection reoccurs in the same root canals, the tooth must be devitalised again.
What are the steps involved in endodontic treatment?
Make the coronal opening, in order to reach the pulp tissue that is in the crown of the tooth, to proceed with disinfection, removal of diseased tissue and cleaning of harmful bacteria from the inside of the tooth and root canals.
Prepare the root canals using files and disinfectant solutions to close them. Only proceed with this procedure if the first phase has been successful.
Filling the canals with a suitable material, using resins, dental crowns, inlays, among other possible solutions.
Endodontic treatments are usually carried out under anaesthetic so that the patient doesn’t feel pain. When the condition is very acute, i.e. there is already pulpitis, the pain is quite severe and in these cases it is necessary to anaesthetise directly on the nerve.
In the days following treatment, there may still be some discomfort, which can be alleviated by taking painkillers.
When endodontic treatment doesn’t work, i.e. the tooth continues to hurt even after it has been devitalised, endodontic retreatment is carried out, i.e. disinfecting the canals, re-instrumenting them and filling the canals airtight.
The need for retreatment is more frequent in teeth that have already undergone root canal treatment; in canals that are very curved, very calcified and/or with lateral canals; or in teeth with root fractures or chronic infections.
Yes. That’s why decayed teeth must be properly cleaned, as they can develop cavities, as well as reoccur or develop abscesses if the restoration breaks and allows bacteria to enter.
