Caries Is root canal treatment worth it - let the tooth get or receive it?

To pull or receive a tooth? Three questions about the course and success of a root canal treatment
The most common triggers of root inflammation include caries bacteria. Due to the typical "hole in the tooth", harmful microorganisms slowly penetrate into the interior and attack the pulp, ie the pulp. As a result, the affected area becomes inflamed, which is accompanied by unpleasant pain. If left untreated, tooth loss and the spread of bacteria to the jawbone are threatened.

contents

• Can every tooth be saved with a root canal treatment??
• How does a tooth root treatment work??
• Is the tooth saved forever??

"In the past, the inflamed tooth was pulled together with the root, today we can use a root canal treatment to treat even severely diseased teeth," emphasizes Dr. med. Christoph Sliwowski, Director of the Dentistry Clinic Dusseldorf in the St. Vincent Hospital, and answers below the three main patient questions to the tooth preserving measure.

Can every tooth be saved with a root canal treatment??

"Unfortunately not. If the tooth structure is too severely damaged, even the most modern methods can not prevent the loss of a tooth. However, thanks to various aids such as microscope and laser, even the finest root canals can now be identified and treated. In this way, we can get many teeth that would have been considered as unsaved a few years ago. A timely start of treatment is important so that enough healthy tooth material is available. All the better are the chances to get the tooth. If the root canal treatment fails despite all efforts, bridges, crowns or fixed implants optimally restore the functionality of the dentition. "

Toothache should by no means be ignored as it may be associated with root inflammation, for example. (Image: Daisy Daisy / fotolia.com)

How does a tooth root treatment work??

"Before the actual treatment, the doctor isolates the affected tooth with a so-called rubber dam to protect it from further contamination. For a precise work, a microscope offers a greatly enlarged view. This way, even surrounding nerves and blood vessels can be spared. First, a treatment of the channels by flexible titanium files. Then there are various tools available for cleaning. Irrigation - for example, with chlorhexidine -, ultrasound or laser penetrate into the root tips and kill off the bacteria. So that the root remains germ-free after the treatment, the cavities are filled under X-ray control. Depending on the degree of destruction, the tooth will also receive a filling or crown afterwards. "

Is the tooth saved forever??

"That depends, because after a thorough treatment, the treated teeth can last a lifetime. However, the prerequisite for this is that patients pay attention to thorough dental care and have regular appointments with the dentist. Checks for tooth root canal treatment include X-rays. In this way, possible new inflammations can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, early measures can be taken. "