Endodontie - Online Die Wurzelbehandlung

Anatomy of Root Canals

The treatment of root canals is always a challenge to the dentist. Where the term "root canal" is actually inappropriate. Looking at the picture below one will quickly realize that it is rather a complex construct, consisting of many small canals - the root canal system The picture below show the root canal anatomy of a lower molar using a computerized tomography, known as "CT".

Picture: Prof. Marco Versiani, Brasil

Here run nerves and blood vessels, through the root tip into the tooth and out again. They supply the tooth with nutrients and oxygen, as long as the tissue is healthy. In the case of caries or injuries, bacteria can penetrate this system. The tooth is infected and hurts. Is the dental pulp of a tooth inflamed, an endodontic treatment will be necessary in most cases.

The aim of this treatment is to remove the diseased tissue out of the root, to clean, to disinfect and to tightly seal the complex canal system. Unfortunately, this is not so simple, because the tiny ramifications make it almost impossible to clean the entire root canal system completely. But with special instruments and techniques for this purpose it is already very close. However, the technical effort is immense and the treatment is time consuming.

The following video gives a little insight into the complicated structures of root canals.