Gyökérkezelés

Gyökérkezelés, more commonly known as root canal treatment, is a dental procedure designed to save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. The primary goal is to remove the nerve and pulp from the tooth's root canal, clean and disinfect the interior, and then fill and seal it. This procedure is often recommended when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, becomes inflamed or infected. Causes for this inflammation or infection include deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth.

The process typically involves several steps. First, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the tooth and surrounding area. The dentist then isolates the tooth with a rubber dam to keep it dry and free from saliva. An opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. The infected or inflamed pulp is carefully removed using specialized instruments. The inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, shaped, and disinfected. Once cleaned, the canals are dried and filled with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha. Finally, the opening in the tooth is sealed with a filling or a crown is placed to protect the tooth and restore its full function.

While the term "root canal" can sound intimidating, modern root canal treatments are generally comfortable and significantly less painful than living with a toothache. The procedure helps to alleviate pain by removing the source of infection and inflammation. It also preserves the natural tooth, which is preferable to extraction as it helps maintain proper biting and chewing function and prevents adjacent teeth from shifting. If left untreated, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body, leading to more serious health issues.