Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is one of the many subdivisions in dental therapies. It destinates to rescue the dental pulp tissue in infected or necrotic teeth, allowing those teeth to remain in the oral cavity and maintain occlusal function.
During the root canal treatment process, the infected pulp tissue (connective tissue such as blood vessels, nerves, and fibers) inside the affected tooth are first removed. The pulp cavity where the tissue was originally located is disinfected and shaped. Finally, a material that is not irritating and bio-compatible with the surrounding tissue is used to tightly seal the cleaned cavity space. If the entire procedure is done properly, root canal therapy is a medical procedure that has a high success rate. Often it is the last chance to prevent teeth from being extracted.
In consideration of the patient’s treatment experience, the doctor will give a local anesthetic injection before the treatment if necessary.
If the defect of the tooth is too big due to severe caries, the doctor will temporarily repair the tooth with a copper band or restoration material. Later, the tooth is isolated from the rest of the oral cavity by placing a rubber dam, and is followed by the expansion of the pulp cavity, marking the start of the root canal treatment. During the course of treatment, patients may experience a tingling sensation in their teeth; there may also be intermittent tenderness and discomfort one or two days after treatment sessions. These are normal symptoms of root canal therapy, and are related to the condition of affected teeth and the patient's own biological response, they will not affect the final treatment outcome. The doctor will offer professional advice on taking medication if necessary, patient cooperation is essential.