Devitalization is a surgical procedure that involves the destruction and subsequent removal of the pulp of a tooth; it is performed when this tissue, rich in nerve endings and blood vessels, is irreparably compromised by extensive cariogenic processes, traumas or other serious dental disorders. The devitalization also includes the sealing ( obturation ) of the pulp canal with special cements and biocompatible materials, such as to prevent any possible bacterial diffusion in the surrounding areas.
Devitalization – also known as root canal treatment – is a tooth saving operation as it excludes its extraction .
A little dental anatomy to understand
The dental pulp is the innermost part of a tooth, made up of blood vessels ( arterioles and venules ), nerves and special cells – called odontoblasts – used for the production of dentin . The dental pulp extends from the crown of the tooth (the visible white part ) to the tip of the roots. The canal inside the root is called the root canal .
The dental pulp is necessary for the tooth to grow properly. However, once developed, the tooth can remain in place even in the absence of pulp, fully performing its masticatory function.
As mentioned, root canal treatment does not involve tooth extraction because it can “live” even without its pulp. However, after surgery, it is necessary to reconstruct the crown because the tooth – deprived of its vital pulp – becomes more fragile and more subject to fractures or trauma.
Directions
A less drastic alternative to tooth extraction, root canal treatment is indicated in the following circumstances:
- Very extensive and deep caries(devitalization is indicated for cariogenic processes that cannot be treated by simple filling)
- Severe dental trauma
- Deep inflammationof the pulp of the tooth ( severe pulpitis )
- (Some) Dental abscesses
- Badly chipped tooth
- Breaking of teeth
- Correction of a botched dental procedure
- Teeth requiring encapsulation
In the cases just reported, the patient may encounter bacterial infections , which in turn can trigger even more critical lesions, such as granuloma , cyst and dental abscess . To avoid these complications, there are two solutions: devitalization or tooth extraction.
In the presence of a strong and unstoppable toothache , especially if accompanied by swelling, pain when chewing and hypersensitivity to heat and cold , a visit to the dentist is strongly recommended. These symptoms , in fact, can be a light of a deep cariogenic process (which has reached the pulp) or of a serious pulp infection . Only when diagnosed in time, these disorders can be resolved through root canal surgery. If the infection is too deep and irreversible, the only solution is tooth extraction.
By whom is it performed?
Root canal treatment is a delicate operation; therefore, it must only be performed by competent and specialized personnel. Endodontists are dentists (dentists) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of infections or trauma to the pulp of the tooth. For this reason, root canal treatment is also called endodontic treatment .
Ache
Today, root canal treatment is an almost PAINLESS endodontic procedure, always performed under local anesthesia. Thanks to the technological improvement of anesthetic procedures, root canals are no more painful than a common filling.
Only in the days immediately following surgery, the tooth may be more sensitive to sudden changes in temperature or to some foods (especially sugary and sticky ones such as jam and honey ).
Cost
Root canal surgery is not cheap, and the cost varies according to the severity of the trauma/ caries and the location of the tooth. Generally, the asking price for the root canal of a tooth ranges from 100 to 350 euros.
