All of us want healthy, functional and good-looking teeth. That's why it's important to protect and take good care of them, through regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups.
A lack of dental care is the main cause of tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when bacteria build up in the mouth to create a sticky layer over your teeth, known as plaque. This plaque damages the outer enamel layer of the tooth, and if untreated it can infect the tooth pulp, the soft tissue at the centre of the tooth. Tooth decay can occur for a number of reasons, including not brushing and flossing regularly, but there are many other possible reasons too.
It's a good idea to see a dentist at least once a year in order to maintain good oral and dental health. Sometimes, problems that are not recognized early can be recognized by the dentist during routine checks and treated in a short time before they cause serious consequences.
Signs of tooth decay can include toothache, increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods, bad breath, and bleeding gums. However, thanks to techniques in modern dentistry, tooth decay can be treated and the tooth can be saved, meaning tooth extractions are far less common than before.
In mild cases of tooth decay, where a cavity has formed in the tooth, the problem can be fixed with a filling. However, in more severe cases where the tooth pulp is infected, a root canal is needed. Root canals provide quick and effective treatment to relieve symptoms of severe tooth decay.
Here at Mastery Dental Clinic in Antalya, located on Turkey's beautiful southern coast, we have many years of experience in performing these routine dental treatments. We can offer you a comfortable, successful and affordable dental treatment to fix your symptoms. Get in touch with us today via the Contact tab on the website and our support team will be happy to answer any questions you have about the treatment, process, cost and how to plan your trip.
A root canal is a procedure designed to save a natural tooth that has become severely infected. In mild cases of dental caries (cavities), a filling can fix the problem. However, if the inflamed tissue has reached the living pulp tissue inside the tooth, a root canal is necessary. The pulp tissue, located in the tooth root, includes blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves which help meet the nutritional needs of the tooth. If the infection reaches the root canal, this tissue has to be removed.
A root canal treatment repairs the tooth by removing the infected pulp inside the tooth, and clearing the inflammation. The root canal is disinfected and then filled and restored. If restoration work is required after the root canal treatment, there are a few options of veneer materials that can be used to restore the tooth, including composite or porcelain veneers. Based on the structure of the teeth, your dentist will recommend a material to use.
A filling treats tooth decay before it has reached the tooth pulp by cleaning and restoring the affected area of the tooth, while a root canal removes the tooth pulp before restoring the tooth. For this reason, a root canal treatment takes slightly longer than a simple filling. In both cases, the tooth will be restored to its natural healthy state.
You should consult your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
In some cases, a root canal cannot be performed, for example in the following situations:
In a preliminary examination before a root canal treatment, a dentist will check for any of the issues which may prevent a successful treatment. They will also assess why the pulp is damaged in the first place, whether the tooth can heal without a root canal, and the risks of not undergoing a root canal treatment. The dentist will also make recommendations about what kind of diet the patient should adopt before the treatment.
Root canal treatments, also known as "endodontics", take slightly longer than a normal tooth filling. Here we will guide you through a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
The process can change depending on various factors, such as whether the patient's tooth structure is healthy or whether restoration is needed after the root canal is cleaned.
Depending on the condition of the tooth, teeth can be repaired in a single root canal treatment session, or across several sessions. If more than one session is required, chemical agents are used to temporarily fill in the root canals in between sessions. This prevents the tooth from becoming infected until the tooth is completely closed. Medication is given to prevent the spread of infection. The duration of the treatment may last up to 5-7 days, after which the temporary filling agents can be removed and the root canal treatment can be completed by filling in the tooth.
Endodontic treatment is very unlikely to fail if it is performed by a specialist dentist. However, in some cases, adverse circumstances that occur during the treatment may have an effect on the result.
If the treatment is unsuccessful, toothache and tooth swelling can occur again, causing the patient more discomfort and annoyance.
Here are some of the reasons that may cause a root canal treatment to fail:
If the desired successful result is not obtained from the root canal treatment, it is inevitable that the same area will become painful again. If such symptoms occur, the treatment should be renewed. When the treatment is renewed, the recurring problem in the tooth can be identified and eliminated to restore the healthy tooth.
In severe cases if further procedures are unsuccessful, other options include root tip resection (see FAQs), or finally tooth extraction.
Following root canal treatment, your dentist will advise you on what caused the tooth decay, and what precautions you should take to prevent the problem from reappearing. This may include changes to eating and drinking habits, and regular dental check-ups. You should always brush your teeth twice a day as recommended by your dentist, and use mouthwash and dental floss.
During the few hours following the root canal treatment, many parts of the mouth may still be numbed due to the local anaesthetic used. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid eating during this period to avoid accidentally biting the tongue or lips.
In the first few days following treatment, there may be some pain, sensitivity, and swelling in the affected area. The dentist will usually prescribe painkillers to alleviate this. If any other symptoms reappear, such as discolouration, tooth fractures, or further tooth decay, you should consult your dentist immediately.
If you are in between root canal treatment sessions and there is any damage to the temporary filling, the dentist should be contacted immediately in order to replace it.
Prices of root canal treatments in Antalya can vary for a number of reasons. These factors can include how many teeth will be treated, the condition of the teeth, the requirements of the patient, the experience of the physician, and the clinical conditions.
However, prices on average in Turkey are much more affordable than in other countries, without sacrificing the quality of the treatment.
To find out more about pricing of root canal treatments at Mastery Dental Clinic, get in contact with us today and ask for a quote for your specific circumstances.
The main factor affecting the amount and length of root canal sessions needed is the number of teeth affected.
On average, around 30-45 minutes is allocated for one tooth, but the entire treatment is usually completed in 1-3 sessions. The severity of the infection and the structure of the mouth can also affect the treatment length. For more information about the duration and number of sessions needed for your root canal treatment, get in touch with Mastery Clinic's support team today via the Contact tab on our website.
