What Is Root Canal Treatment? Learn When and Why You Should Get It

Hello. This is Lucid Dental Clinic.

If your tooth suddenly starts throbbing and you keep feeling a sharp twinge when eating,

the problem may not be a simple cavity but an issue with the nerve inside the tooth.

Today, we’ll give you a detailed explanation of "root canal treatment"

that is performed in situations like this.

Root canal treatment is performed when the

"nerve tissue" deep inside the tooth has been damaged

due to inflammation or infection.

Simply put, it is the process of cleaning out the problematic internal tissue,

thoroughly disinfecting the space, and then sealing it so that bacteria do not

re-enter.

Because this treatment deals with the narrow nerve canals that extend all the way to

the tooth root, it requires precise diagnosis and careful treatment that cannot be

seen with the naked eye.

Even if the nerve is removed in this way, the tooth itself remains preserved from

the root, so it can still be used functionally and pain and inflammation can be

prevented.

When is root canal treatment needed?

Root canal treatment may be necessary in the following situations.

▪ When deep decay has progressed to the nerve area

▪ When the internal tissue of the tooth has been damaged by external trauma

▪ When pain or inflammation keeps recurring after previous treatment

▪ When the tooth breaks or cracks and the nerve becomes exposed

Because damaged tooth nerves do not heal naturally,

it is very important to begin treatment at the proper time.

How is root canal treatment performed?

Root canal treatment usually proceeds in the following order.

1. Removal of the problematic nerve

The damaged nerve tissue and the infected area are removed.

2. Cleaning and disinfecting the root canal

The space that extends to the tooth root is cleaned,

and bacteria are removed.

3. Sealing the inside of the root canal

The cleaned-out space is filled with special material

to block reinfection from the outside.

4. Finishing with prosthetic treatment

Because a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment may become weaker,

prosthetic treatment may be needed to protect function and prevent fracture.

If the following apply, consider root canal treatment.

▪ When the tooth still feels sensitive or painful even after cavity treatment

▪ When a tooth breaks and the inside is exposed

▪ When pain becomes severe while eating cold or sweet foods

▪ When pus builds up near the gums, or the area around the tooth swells

These symptoms may be signs of nerve damage.

If left untreated, inflammation can spread to the jawbone, so

an accurate diagnosis and treatment are important.

Root Canal Treatment Q&A

Q. Can I use the tooth as I did before after root canal treatment?

A. If the treatment is completed well, normal chewing function is possible without problems. However, because a tooth with the nerve removed may become structurally weaker, it is a good idea to consider prosthetic treatment as well.

Q. Is it better to extract the tooth and get an implant instead of root canal treatment?

A. If possible, the principle is to preserve your natural tooth as much as possible. If the tooth can be functionally restored through root canal treatment, keeping the natural tooth may be more advantageous in the long term. However, if the tooth damage is too severe to preserve, other treatment options will be discussed together.

Q. Is root canal treatment very painful?

A. Because local anesthesia is used before treatment to reduce pain, the pain during the procedure is generally not severe. However, if the inflammation is severe or the infection has spread, temporary discomfort may occur.

Precautions During Root Canal Treatment

▪ Please be careful not to put too much strain on the tooth during treatment.

▪ If medication or prescriptions are provided to reduce inflammation, take them according to the medical staff’s instructions.

▪ Pain may appear temporarily during or shortly after treatment, and it is generally common for it to gradually ease after some time. If the pain continues or worsens, you may need to contact the dental clinic for an additional checkup.

Because once a tooth is damaged it cannot be restored to how it was,

if you have pain or unusual symptoms, it is most important to get examined

as quickly as possible.

Lucid Dental Clinic works with you to preserve your teeth as healthily as possible

through accurate diagnosis and a systematic treatment plan.

Lucid Dental Clinic

3rd–4th Floors, Coway Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul