Endodontic therapy

Endodontic therapy, also known as root canal therapy, is a dental treatment for removing infection from inside a tooth. It can also protect the tooth from future infections. It is performed in the pulp of the tooth, which is the root canal.

Indications

Endodontic therapy is indicated for teeth with irreversible pulpitis, a condition where the dental pulp (which contains nerve tissue, lymphatic tissue, arterioles, and venous plexuses) becomes inflamed and infected. This can be due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

Procedure

The procedure involves the removal of the diseased pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the root canal system, and then filling and sealing the prepared space. The steps typically include:

1. Anesthesia: The area around the tooth is numbed with local anesthesia.
2. Access Opening: An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
3. Pulp Removal: Diseased or dead pulp is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals.
4. Cleaning and Shaping: The root canals are cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to a form that can be filled.
5. Disinfection: The canals are disinfected with antibacterial solutions.
6. Filling: The root canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha, and an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the canal.
7. Restoration: A temporary or permanent filling material is placed on top of the gutta-percha to seal the opening until the tooth receives a permanent restoration, such as a crown.

Aftercare

After endodontic therapy, the tooth is considered to be more brittle than a healthy, non-treated tooth. Therefore, most endodontically treated teeth will need a crown or other restoration to protect and restore it to full function.

Complications

Complications of endodontic therapy include tooth fracture, reinfection, and procedural accidents such as perforation of the root canal. However, with modern techniques and materials, these complications are relatively rare and the success rate of endodontic therapy is very high.

Prognosis

The prognosis for a tooth treated with endodontic therapy is generally excellent. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last as long as other natural teeth.

See Also

• Dental pulp
• Root canal
• Abscess
• Dental restoration