Endodontic treatment (root canal treatment)

Pulp is a soft tissue filling the inside of the tooth located beneath hard tissues of the tooth (enamel and dentin). It consists of a web of nerves and blood vessels, soft connective tissue and various cells. If the pulp is damaged, the tooth becomes non-vital, because the blood vessels and nerves die, the tooth loses innervation – the connection to the central nervous system. Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes infected. Microorganisms and their toxins enter pulp through small canals in the tooth from cavities, deep periodontal pockets, in case of trauma and other lesions (cracks, chips, erosions, non-carious cervical lesions, etc.).

Why do root canals need to be treated?

If the canals are not treated, the bacteria in the infected pulp can spread out of the root and cause inflammation of the surrounding tissues – periodontitis. The jaw bone starts to erode slowly. During the chronic phase of periodontitis the patient can experience no pain, although in case of flare-ups there can be severe pain and swelling. If the process continues, the tooth may have to be extracted.

Periodontitis of some upper teeth might cause sinusitis, the inflammation of the sinus mucosa.

Endodontic treatment increases the life of a tooth.