¿Qué es un tratamiento de conductos?

Dr. J.L Gross de Bethencourt

24 March 2025

When a tooth suffers a deep cavity, a fracture or a severe infection, many people fear that the only solution is extraction. However, endodontics is an effective treatment that preserves the tooth and avoids major problems.

In this article we tell you everything you need to know about endodontics.

What is endodontics?

Endodontics, also called ‘root canal treatment’ or ‘nerve killing’, is a dental treatment designed to save a tooth whose pulp, the soft tissue inside, has been severely affected by deep decay, fracture or infection.

The process consists of removing the remains of pulp tissue and any bacteria that have invaded the tooth’s canal system. Once cleaned, it is filled with special materials that prevent future infections and ensure its stability. Due to the complexity of this procedure, in some cases several sessions may be necessary to ensure an optimal result.

After root canal treatment, it is essential to carry out an adequate restoration of the tooth, as, although it does not always become fragile, sensitivity and part of the perception of pressure when chewing is lost. To avoid fractures or long-term deterioration, it is advisable to reinforce it with a crown or other type of dental protection.

When to do a root canal (and when not to do it)

Endodontics is recommended when the dental pulp is affected in such a way that it cannot be fixed, due to deep caries, trauma or infections that cause intense pain, inflammation or even the formation of abscesses. It is also necessary when a tooth shows pulp necrosis, i.e. the death of the internal tissue, even if there are no obvious symptoms.

On the other hand, it is not always the best option if the tooth is too structurally damaged or if the infection has destroyed much of the supporting bone. In these cases, extraction may be the most viable alternative. It should also be avoided if the problem is superficial and can be solved with a filling or other less invasive treatment.

Dark teeth after root canal treatment

The great fear of many patients when undergoing root canal treatment (especially in cases of anterior teeth where the aesthetic compromise is greater), is whether the tooth will change colour afterwards.

The darkening of an endodontically treated tooth is usually subtle and is due either to slight dehydration, which occurs when the tooth loses vitality, to the growth of reactive tissue inside the tooth or to the subsequent restoration.

There are some extreme cases as to why this is so:

Restorations with silver amalgams also occur in vital teeth, as silver amalgams have the ability to intrinsically stain the tissues with which they come into contact.
Bleeding during treatment, so that traces or haemoglobin products from the blood may be retained in a nook or cranny of the tooth, giving it a darker colour.
Sealant cements, which although they have a very high healing capacity, have in their components products capable of staining the tooth noticeably.

What is the solution? It depends on the condition of the tooth.

To treat tooth discolouration, the first option is usually internal bleaching. This procedure consists of applying a bleaching agent inside the tooth for several sessions, and in some cases, combining it with external bleaching depending on the severity of the discolouration. However, in order to perform it safely, it is essential that the root canal is correctly performed and that the coronal part of the root of the tooth has a good seal. Otherwise, there is a risk of root resorption, which could lead to the extraction of the tooth.

As with any whitening, the results may show some degree of recurrence over time. For this reason, although it is a minimally invasive procedure, some practitioners prefer more durable solutions, such as a veneer or a veneer, which offer greater long-term stability.

Reendodontics

Re-endodontics is the procedure that consists of repeating a previously performed root canal treatment when it has not achieved its objective: the disinfection and complete sealing of the root canal system. Although a well performed root canal treatment can last for many years, in some cases the tooth can become infected again, which makes it necessary to intervene again to avoid major complications.

There are two main reasons why a root canal may need to be redone:

Bacterial filtration: This can occur through two pathways:
- From the crown of the tooth, due to a leaking filling or an ill-fitting cap, allowing bacteria to re-enter.
- Through the root, when cleaning and sealing of the ducts was not completely effective in the initial treatment, leaving room for re-infection.
Insufficient technique or anatomical complications: Sometimes the anatomy of the tooth presents challenges that make a perfect seal difficult, such as curved, calcified root canals or attachments not detected at the first root canal treatment.

Despite its complexity, re-endodontics is a viable option and remains the treatment of choice when it allows long-term preservation of the tooth. However, its feasibility will depend on the overall condition of the tooth and the possibility of achieving an adequate seal in the new procedure.

We help you with the health of your mouth

At Gross Dentistas, we specialize in caring for your oral health with the best treatments, including endodontics. If you’re suffering from tooth pain or an infection, our team is trained to perform this procedure accurately and effectively, ensuring your tooth is bacteria-free and protected for the long term

In addition to root canals, we offer comprehensive care to keep your mouth healthy. We have advanced technology and a professional team that will guide you through every step of the treatment, from diagnosis to recovery, so you can smile with confidence. Contact us.