Do you often feel pain in your teeth? Do you have advanced cavities that have damaged the pulp? In this case, you should undergo a root canal treatment for tooth devitalization. The following article describes the main features of this treatment.
What is Tooth Devitalization?
As the word suggests, devitalization involves the removal of the vital part of the tooth, namely the pulp. The pulp is the part where the nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels are located. When a tooth undergoes trauma or suffers from dental decay, the vital part can be so severely damaged that it cannot be saved. In this case, tooth devitalization is performed, meaning the pulp (nerve) is removed and replaced with inert material. There are various reasons for devitalization: extensive cavities that have reached and severely damaged the pulp, severe inflammation of the pulp, or fractures of the crown that affect the pulp.
How is Devitalization Performed?
Devitalization is done through root canal treatment, which involves emptying and cleaning the tooth’s canals and removing the infected pulp. The canals are then completely filled with appropriate material and sealed. The main goal of devitalization is to clean the inside of the tooth, removing bacteria from the canals, and sealing them to prevent new bacteria from entering. The material used for sealing the canals is gutta-percha, a macromolecule derived from the sap of the gutta-percha tree, which, combined with special cement, enhances its sealing function. In a later phase, after devitalization, the dentist reconstructs the tooth using a dental crown to protect it and restore all its functions.
Devitalization and Reconstruction
After devitalization, teeth must be reconstructed as soon as possible because they are more vulnerable and prone to fractures. Once the reconstruction is complete, the tooth can last as long as a natural tooth, but it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene by regularly using a toothbrush and dental floss and undergoing professional dental cleanings. In some cases, pain may persist after devitalization. In these instances, the tooth can be saved with a dental apicoectomy. This procedure can remove bacteria that are not eradicated with conventional root canal treatment.
