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Treatments

Endodontics

What is Endodontics?

Endodontics is the branch of dental medicine responsible for studying the dental pulp/nerve, the entire root canal system, and the tissues surrounding the teeth, as well as the diseases that affect them.

In cases of changes caused by cavities, dental fractures, dental trauma, orthodontic trauma, endo-periodontal lesions, prosthetic needs, and other endodontic pathologies, endodontic treatment (or root canal treatment) is indicated to preserve the tooth in the oral cavity and ensure the health of the surrounding tissues.

Why treat a tooth that has lost its vitality?

Endodontic treatment involves various technical procedures aimed at restoring the normalcy of the tooth tissues or, at the very least, keeping the tooth free from inflammation or infection. Therefore, root canal treatment is just one part of this process, focusing on the removal of all tissue, whether alive or not, from the pulp chamber and the root canal system present in the roots, followed by sealing them.

Teeth are made up of three layers: from the outside to the inside, they are the enamel, dentin, and dental pulp, where the tooth’s vascular and nervous structures are located. When the dental pulp is affected due to extensive cavities, fractures, trauma, or severe tooth wear, the tooth must be treated with endodontics or devitalization.

In endodontics, the root canal systems of the teeth are accessed, disinfected, and sealed. This procedure can be done in one or multiple sessions, depending on the clinical situation.

In some clinical cases, disinfection and cleaning of the complex root canal system alone are not enough to eliminate the damage associated with the tooth. In these cases, a small surgery called an apicoectomy is required, during which the associated lesion is removed surgically in a localized manner.

With the introduction of the Electronic Microscope, more predictable results can be achieved. Due to high magnification, treatments are more precise and have a better prognosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

On average, 3 appointments are needed. In some clinical situations, the treatment can be completed in a single session.

After a tooth is devitalized, it becomes more fragile and prone to fractures due to reduced resistance to chewing forces. In some cases, the tooth may darken over time due to the loss of vitality.

Poorly done restorations can also pose a significant risk of causing pain in patients who have undergone root canal treatment. If, after the root canal treatment, the outer surface of the tooth creates an imbalance in the bite (making it higher), chewing on hard food can cause pain in the treated tooth.

Therefore, ensure that after the tooth restoration, you do not feel an “elevation” in that tooth, and that when closing your mouth, you do not experience any discomfort. If you notice any abnormalities, inform your dentist before finishing the appointment. They should make sure this does not happen.

Between endodontic appointments, you should be very careful when chewing hard foods, as there is a risk of fracturing the tooth due to its fragility.

A devitalized tooth can develop cavities again. This is why regular maintenance and check-up appointments are necessary, as these teeth do not show any sensitivity to the progression of decay.

A dental abscess occurs when a tooth has a severe bacterial infection. When this happens, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

A periapical lesion is a radiological image (dark area) located at the end of the tooth’s root. This image indicates a bacterial infection in the root of the tooth, and it requires intervention and root canal treatment.

After a root canal, the dentist may propose a tooth reconstruction with composite resin. Alternatively, if the tooth is severely damaged, a ceramic crown may be the best option to restore the strength needed for chewing.

It is important to restore the tooth immediately after root canal treatment to restore its chewing function and to regain the strength lost during the root canal procedure. When a devitalized tooth remains unrestored for too long, the risk of fracture becomes very high. A fracture in a devitalized tooth can lead to its extraction, resulting in the loss of the entire investment made in the treatment.

An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure, a type of endodontic microsurgery, performed when conventional root canal treatment is not enough to treat and eliminate an apical lesion.

Professionals in the field