Root canal treatment
Why do we need root canal treatment?
- Deep caries having reached the dental pulp where the nerve is located.
- Broken tooth where a filling is not enough to restore.
- Pulp irritated by trauma.
- Pulp irritated by a very deep obturation (filling).
- Periapical abscess, which is an infectious lesion at the end of the root of a tooth that can be seen on an X-ray.
Why save a tooth and do a root canal treatment?
A devitalized tooth still performs several functions: chewing, maintaining and positioning your teeth and preserving your jawbone. Indeed, by being present, the teeth stimulate the tissues and muscles of your mouth and strengthen the bone structure that supports everything.
When to do a root canal treatment
When tooth decay has reached the pulp where the nerve is housed, the dentist must treat the tooth with a root canal treatment to prevent bacterial infection or abscess. As soon as the bacteria have penetrated the pulp, the tooth must be devitalized, that is to say, do a root canal treatment.
A tooth that has had a root canal treatment becomes friable and therefore more fragile, which increases the risk that the tooth will break. It is advisable to restore such a tooth by a crown.
Hygiene following root canal treatment
A tooth that has received root canal treatment can decay like other teeth, the only difference is that the cavity does not cause any pain or sensitivity on the tooth that has undergone root canal treatment. It is therefore important to maintain good oral hygiene to keep this tooth for a very long time. In addition, it is advisable to restore a devitalized tooth with a crown so that it is solid.
