Root Canal Treatment: Understanding the Causes, Steps, and Risks

Updated: Mar 21, 2023

What is root canal treatment ?

Root canal treatment is a simple medical procedure, which is done in order to relieve tooth pain and maintain its health, and patients usually resort to it when they suffer from inflammation or infection in the roots of the teeth, where the supervising doctor removes the pulp of the tooth, then cleans, sterilizes, Forming the root canal and dental canals, then placing a filling to fill the void.

Causes of Root canal treatment

Inside the teeth, there is a soft area called the dental pulp, which extends from the visible part of the tooth to the tip of the root of the tooth in the jaw bone, and the pulp contains nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels, and bacteria enter the pulp when the tooth breaks, or when a deep cavity occurs in it. Bacteria and decaying materials can cause a serious infection or, if left untreated, a dental abscess, which may lead to pulp death, bone weakness, or even a weakening of the tooth itself. Symptoms of its infection include swelling around the face and neck, or a hole in the teeth. Or toothache, or swollen gums, or sensitivity to different temperatures.

Root canal treatment steps

The steps that the dentist follows to fill the nerve are as follows:

Step 1 :

The doctor makes an opening through the upper part of the tooth. Remove pulp from cavities and channels. Sterilization of the channels using sodium hypochlorite, or any other sterile solution.

Step 2 :

Forming channels using a set of tools, of different diameters, to ensure that all affected areas of the teeth are removed, and also to ensure that there is enough space to place a sufficient root filling. Taking a series of x-rays during all stages of the procedure to ensure that these tools reach the root end, and that all canals are completely cleaned.

Step 3 :

Placing a medication such as calcium hydroxide down the nerve canal to help kill bacteria at the root end. When the procedure is scheduled to be completed in two visits, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight infection, place a temporary filling to close the hole he made in the tooth, and will schedule another session a week or so later to fill the nerve canal directly. When the root canal is filled, the dentist will anesthetize the tooth again, and place a dental rubber dam.

Step 4 :

He removes the temporary filling from the tooth, then fills the canals with a rubber-like material called gutta percha surrounded by adhesive. If the specialist has performed a root canal, a temporary filling will be placed in the hole and the general dentist will place the permanent filling. After the completion of the root canal, the tooth will most likely need a crown to protect it from fracture in the future, and a fixed center is provided to fill it, and it is worth noting that the doctor may choose to do the crown immediately, or he may wait a short period of time to ensure that the tooth is free from pain.

Risks of Root canal treatment

The purpose of a root canal is to rescue your tooth, but in certain situations, the harm may be too severe, or the enamel may be too fragile to handle the operation, causing the tooth to be lost. Another danger is the formation of an abscess at the tooth's root if infected material remains or if the prescribed antibiotics are ineffective.

If you're hesitant about undergoing a root canal, you can consult with your dentist about an extraction as an alternative. This typically includes using a partial denture, bridge, or implant to replace the damaged tooth.

To sum up, root canal treatment is a straightforward medical procedure performed to alleviate tooth pain and preserve its well-being. However, there are several potential risks associated with it, such as the possibility of infection in some circumstances where the damage is severe or the enamel is too delicate to withstand the procedure, resulting in tooth loss. It is important to discuss your options with your dentist to determine which treatment you should have.