Rötterbehandling

Rötterbehandling, often translated as root canal treatment, is a dental procedure performed to save a tooth that is severely decayed or infected. The process involves removing the pulp, a soft tissue found in the center of the tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels. This pulp can become inflamed or infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or cracks and chips in the tooth. If left untreated, an infected pulp can cause severe pain and lead to an abscess, a pus-filled swelling.

The procedure typically involves several steps. First, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Then, an opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. The infected or inflamed pulp is carefully removed from the pulp chamber and root canals using specialized instruments. Once the canals are cleaned and disinfected, they are shaped and then filled with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha. Finally, the opening in the tooth is sealed with a filling.

Often, a tooth that has undergone rötterbehandling may require a crown to protect it from fracture and restore its normal function. This is because the tooth can become more brittle after the pulp removal. While often associated with pain, modern root canal treatments are generally no more uncomfortable than a routine filling, especially with the use of anesthesia. The primary goal of rötterbehandling is to preserve the natural tooth, avoiding the need for extraction.