Root canal therapy

Endodonty is the study of the treatment of the teeth’s root canals.

The basic aim of endodontal treatment is to destroy micro-organisms in the root canals and to protect the surrounding tissue from infection.  The root canal must be cleaned meticulously until it is sterile and then hermetically filled.  Successful treatment of root canals can be done using modern treatment methods and materials.

Bacteria enter the root canals because of dental caries.  The pulp in the root canals becomes infected, giving rise to all sorts of pain.  Infected or damaged pulp (blood vessels and nerve fibre) is removed, the canal is cleaned with instruments and rinsed with chemicals, then filled.  Careful filling of the root canal protects the tooth from infiltration by micro-organisms, and prevents infection in the periodontal area.  During treatment radiovisiograms need to be done.  No fewer than 3 radiovisiograms need to be done to ensure quality control of the endodontal treatment process.

If the infected root canals are not treated, bacteria infiltrate the surrounding tissue through the tips of the roots and cause infection.  After a while the adjacent maxillary bone material begins to dissolve and disappear, with a focus of infection thereby developing around the infected tooth, which may lead to more serious complications.