Nowadays, thanks to the significant development of dentistry, we already know how to effectively extend the life of a tooth that has been significantly affected by caries or trauma, which has led to the loss of the vitality of the pulp – the tissue that nourishes it and allows it to function properly. Using the most modern equipment, our specialist performs endodontic treatment – a procedure that involves removing bacteria from tooth canals and properly preparing and filling them.
Reasons for the need for root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is necessary when the tissue inside the tooth – the pulp – becomes inflamed or damaged as a result of advanced caries, trauma or bacterial infection. Pulp inflammation can cause severe pain, and if left without appropriate treatment, it leads to the development of inflammation and destruction of tooth tissue and the bone surrounding it. In such a case, root canal treatment is necessary to save the tooth.
Indications for root canal treatment
Indications for root canal treatment may include:
- Severe and persistent toothache.
- Excessive and prolonged sensitivity of the tooth to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.
- Sharp pain when biting or pressing on the tooth.
- The presence of a visible cavity in the tooth exposing the pulp.
- Visible changes on the X-ray examination of the tooth, indicating inflammation of the pulp.
- A tooth after trauma that can be preserved in the oral cavity .
Root canal treatment process
Root canal treatment performed at the Warsaw Dental Academy is always performed using a microscope . Thanks to significant magnification, our specialist has great visibility in the canals and is able to find all the canals present in a given tooth, clean them of bacteria and prepare them for filling. Each root canal treatment is performed by isolating the treatment area with a rubber dam, which limits the tooth surface from access to external factors, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the treatment by ensuring complete asepsis.
Using a modern X Smart Plus endodontic microsilicone engine , our specialist is able to precisely process canals, effectively removing damaged tissue and bacteria, minimizing the risk of complications and extending the life of significantly damaged teeth. Endodontic treatment at Warsaw Dental Academy is most often carried out in one stage, unless there are contraindications to it – for example, extensive inflammation requiring antibiotic therapy before the procedure to calm it down. Performing root canal treatment during one visit significantly increases its effectiveness – the teeth are opened only once under aseptic conditions , the canals are filled and closed with a temporary filling until the prosthetic restoration is fixed. This reduces the risk of bacteria re-entering the tooth’s root canal system and causing further inflammation.
Stages of root canal treatment
- Diagnostics: Treatment begins with thorough diagnostics, which includes, among others: performing computed tomography. This allows us to precisely locate the site of inflammation and assess the condition of the tooth, along with a preliminary assessment of the number of roots and the number of channels and system they form.
- Anesthesia: The tooth undergoing root canal treatment is anesthetized along with the adjacent tissues to ensure the patient’s complete chamber during the procedure.
- Opening the cavity and cleaning it from carious tissues.
- Pulp removal: Using a microscope and a specialized tools, the dentist removes the infected pulp from the canals.
- Cleaning and widening of the canals: The tooth canals are thoroughly cleaned and widened.
- Canal irrigation: The canals are carefully rinsed with special antiseptic solutions to destroy any remaining bacteria.
- Filling the canals: After thorough cleaning and preparation of the canals, they are filled with a special material – gutta-percha, which protects the interior of the tooth against re-infection and strengthens its structure.
- Control X-Ray– a spot radiological photo of the tooth that has been prepared in order to verify the effectiveness of canal obturation.
- Tooth reconstruction: In the final phase of the procedure, the tooth is reconstructed using a prosthetic overlay – an endocrown, restoring its full functionality.
How many roots and root canals does a tooth have?
A key aspect of root canal treatment is identifying the number of roots and canals in a given tooth. Radiological examination, such as computed tomography, is the basis for diagnosis, but there may be differences between what is visible on the radiological image and the actual number of canals in the tooth, which will be known during the treatment process itself.
Based on statistical research, we know that upper and lower incisors and canines usually have one root canal. Upper first premolars most often have two root canals, while upper second premolars may have two root canals or one. Upper molars usually have 3 root canals. Lower premolars most often have one canal, but they also have a two-canal system. Lower molars, just like their upper counterparts, most often have three canals, but it is possible to have four-canal molars. However, please remember that this is only statistical data. Clinically, there may be various exceptions to the rule, such as a reduced or increased number of canals in a given tooth.
Regardless of the number of canals a given tooth contains, each of them requires the same preparation by our specialist – thorough cleaning, widening and filling.
Reconstruction of the tooth wall
In a situation where one of the tooth walls has been damaged, it is necessary to rebuild it before starting the preparation of the canals. During proper endodontic treatment, solutions of active substances are used, which effectively remove bacteria and their metabolism products. If they get outside the tooth cavity, they may damage healthy oral structures. Protection against this type of complication is the reconstruction of the tooth wall, which eliminates the risk of fluids escaping the tooth cavity while rinsing the canals.
Strengthening severely damaged teeth: post-cores
In the case of significantly damaged teeth, where after appropriate tissue preparation and filling of the canal/canals, the remaining tooth tissues are too weak to withstand the occlusal forces generated during chewing and articulation, our specialists use post-cores before applying prosthetic reconstruction . Made of glass fiber, they significantly strengthen the weakened tooth structure, restoring its proper strength to support the prosthetic reconstruction and the forces acting on it during chewing. There are the following types of contributions:
- Standard post-cores – are used in simpler cases of single-rooted teeth, where an appropriate amount of tooth tissue remains. Performed during one office visit by a specialist.
- Individual post-cores – are used in cases of multi-rooted teeth and significant tissue destruction. The canal is properly prepared and then an impression is taken. Based on this, the prosthetic laboratory makes an individually adapted post-cores, which will be cemented in the tooth during the next visit.
After installing the post, the tooth is prepared and scanned for the future prosthetic restoration – a prosthetic crown
Prosthetic reconstruction of teeth after root canal treatment
At Warsaw Dental Academy, we work according to the latest standards in the world of dentistry, staying up to date with current research, materials and work protocols. One of them is the type of reconstruction of teeth that have undergone root canal treatment. The recommended type of reconstruction of such teeth is the use of a prosthetic reconstruction such as an endocrown. After appropriate preparation of the tooth tissue and scanning, the prosthetic dentist performs an individually tailored reconstruction for each tooth, which is intended to restore the proper shape of the tooth and its proper function. The endocrown ensures tightness and much better durability compared to the composite filling it replaces, and significantly extends the life of the root canal treated tooth.
Consequences of abandoning root canal treatment
Abandoning root canal treatment may lead to serious health consequences, such as:
- Development of inflammation: If left untreated, pulp inflammation may spread to the tooth root and the surrounding bone.
- Bone destruction: A tooth infection can spread to the bones of the jaw, causing the destruction of bone tissue.
- Inflammation of healthy adjacent teeth: Inflammation may affect adjacent healthy teeth, penetrating through their apical foramen or involving the cementum after significant bone destruction.
- Abscess formation: If left untreated, the infection can lead to the formation of abscesses around the tooth, requiring further surgical treatment.
Root canal treatment in Warsaw Dental Academy
Root canal treatment is a key procedure that allows you to save the tooth from extraction and avoid serious complications. Warsaw Dental Academy is:
- Modern approach: Our clinic takes full advantage of the latest technologies in the field of dentistry. Thanks to a microscope and top-class instruments, root canal treatment becomes more precise, effective and comfortable than ever before.
- Experienced team of specialists: Only qualified and experienced specialists work at Warsaw Dental Academy . Our doctors have extensive experience in root canal treatment and constantly improve their qualifications to provide services at the highest level.
- Individual approach: We understand that each patient is different, so we approach you individually. Our team will always listen to your concerns and needs to provide personalized and best solutions.
- Comfort and safety: Your comfort and safety are our priority. Therefore, during root canal treatment, we use advanced methods of isolating the treatment field using a rubber dam, which minimizes the risk of infection and increases the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Commitment to your health: Our goal is not only to effectively cure the problem, but also to provide you with long-lasting effects and a healthy smile for many years.
Root canal treatment is a key procedure that allows you to save the tooth from extraction and avoid serious complications. Warsaw Dental Academy offers highly effective root canal treatment using advanced technologies. Thanks to the precise work of specialists, their experience and continuous development, our patients can be sure of the effectiveness and comfort of treatment, which translates into healthy and beautiful smiles for many years. If you are looking for perfect root canal treatment, Warsaw Dental Academy is a place where your needs will be fully met. Don’t delay your visit – call us today and give us a chance to take care of your healthy smile!
