ENDODONTICS
Endodontics is a dental treatment used to preserve a tooth that is infected or inflamed. It is an effective solution to save a damaged tooth and prevent dental infections that can later lead to the loss of this tooth.
The tooth has several layers, the outermost being the tooth enamel, followed by the dentine and then the dental pulp, which is located in the centre of the tooth and contains blood vessels and nerves. When the dental pulp becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause pain and, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. At Clínica Sicilia, we remove the infected or inflamed dental pulp through endodontics, cleaning and sealing the resulting space to prevent future infections.
With proper dental care, endodontically treated teeth can last a lifetime.
What are the main symptoms?
It is important to recognise the symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal, so that the tooth can be treated to prevent further infection.
Dental pain
Severe dental pain is the most common symptom of the need for a root canal. This pain occurs because the dental pulp, which contains the nerves and blood vessels, becomes inflamed or infected.
Dental sensitivity
If you feel pain or sensitivity in your teeth when eating or drinking hot or cold foods, your dental pulp may be infected and in need of a root canal.
Inflammation of the gums
Swollen gums, neck or face may indicate that the infection in the dental pulp has spread beyond the root of the tooth. In severe cases, this swelling can be very painful and require urgent root canal treatment.
Sensitive or reddened gums
If the gums around the affected tooth are red or tender to the touch, they may be inflamed due to infection of the dental pulp.
Darkened tooth
Another symptom of the need for a root canal is having the affected tooth darker than the rest of the teeth. This can be a sign that the tooth pulp has been damaged and is dying.
Benefits of endodontic treatment
Pain relief
If a tooth is severely damaged, it can cause intense and constant pain. Endodontics eliminates the infection and therefore the pain.
Preserve the tooth
Endodontics can prevent the removal of the damaged or infected tooth, which can help preserve the natural tooth structure and prevent future problems.
Improving dental health
By removing the problem tooth, root canal treatment can help prevent the spread of bacteria and infection to other areas of the mouth.
Quality of life
If root canal treatment is not performed in time, the loss of a tooth can affect chewing ability and speech, resulting in a poorer quality of life.
Dental aesthetics
Infected teeth may appear dark, stained or discoloured. Root canal treatment can restore the tooth’s natural appearance and restore a beautiful smile.
Early assessment and treatment can help prevent more serious complications and save the affected tooth, thus improving the patient's long-term health and quality of life.
Endodontic procedure
The endodontic procedure consists of several steps and is generally carried out in two or three visits with the endodontist. Before performing the endodontic treatment, in our Dental Clinic in Oviedo we always carry out an evaluation and diagnosis of the affected tooth. In addition, endodontics is a safe and painless treatment, as local anaesthesia is administered to numb the area around the tooth to be treated.
Access and cleaning
To access the infected dental pulp, the endodontic expert makes a small opening in the crown of the tooth. Subsequently, special instruments are used to clean the root canal and remove the inflamed or infected dental pulp.
Root canal disinfection and repair
After cleaning the root canal, it is disinfected and shaped for filling with a filling material. This repair requires the use of specific files to remove infected tissue and prepare the canal for filling.
Filling and sealing
After the canal has been disinfected, it is filled with a filling material and finally sealed to prevent reinfection. In endodontics, this material can be of different types such as composite, amalgam or glass ionomer, among others.
Dental reconstruction
After root canal treatment, it may be necessary to reconstruct the affected tooth with a dental crown or other dental restoration, especially if it has been weakened or damaged due to infection.
