Endodontics

This treatment is commonly known as “Killing the nerve”. It consists of the excision of the vascular-nervous package that is inside the tooth and is the cause of the dental pain.
By means of special instruments the inside of the tooth is cleaned leaving it free of infection. Each tooth has in its interior a network of vessels that are distributed inside the tooth forming a network of conduits. Endodontics aims to clean each duct and leave the tooth suitable for further restoration.

– When and why is it carried out

It is performed in cases of acute and chronic irreversible pulpitis as palliative treatment of pain and also in preventive cases, when it is foreseen that the restorative treatment alone will not ensure the good health of the tooth in question.
The vast majority of endodontics are carried out by extensive caries, which reach the nerve and produces severe pain. On other occasions they are performed on teeth with chronic pulp involvement, that is, teeth in which the nerve has already been lost by an infection (necrosis) but which does not hurt. In these cases, sometimes a fistula is produced, that is, a small lump that occasionally comes out about 10 mm. above the crown of the affected tooth.

– It hurt?

The endodontic treatment is done under local anesthesia. The patient does not feel any pain during the treatment. Only in some cases, when the anesthesia has worn off a slight sensation of discomfort is noted, which is passes inr 4 to 5 days. To reduce these minor discomforts, analgesics and anti-inflammatories are prescribed.

– Step by step technique

After anesthetizing the tooth, all the tissue affected by caries is removed until the tooth is completely clean. Next, the nerve is accessed.
The next step is to measure the root of the tooth, using radiography and an apparatus designed for this purpose. Once we know the length of the canal, we proceed to clean the channel through which the nerve runs.
Finally the tooth is completely disinfected, dried and sealed to seal it tightly.

– Efficiency

In case of acute pain, performing this treatment immediately relieves the painful sensation, leaving only a mild annoying feeling that will cease in a few days.

– Long-term consequences

An endodontised tooth suffers a weakening that in the medium or long term can induce a fracture of the tooth. Due to the loss of dental structure that has been eliminated when cleaning the caries. Therefore, it is advisable to place a porcelain crown to strengthen these teeth and maintain their long-term integrity.