Root canal treatment: addressing inflammation of the tooth root
Root canal treatment is one of the methods for saving teeth
At Helvetic Clinics, our resolute goal is to do everything possible to save your teeth. One effective method for achieving this is root canal treatment. Endodontics, or root treatment, involves procedures that affect the dental pulp tissue.
Tooth root inflammation
Dental pulp tissue can be damaged and inflamed due to various factors (bacteria, heat, chemicals), leading to tooth root inflammation (pulpitis). In such cases, changes occur in the pulp, which can sometimes be reversible in early stages. However, in more severe cases, these processes lead to irreversible tooth root inflammation.
In the case of an inflamed tooth, spontaneous healing is no longer possible, and root canal treatment becomes necessary. Often, after pulp death, chronic processes develop. These changes frequently occur in the bone at the root apex with little or no symptoms, or with mild pain. A warning sign can be an abscess on the gum (purulent tooth), often accompanied by an additional fistula.
Tasks to perform against tooth root inflammation
In the case of tooth root inflammation, if possible, the first choice solution is root canal treatment. The term "nerve treatment" is commonly used to refer to the same procedure.
The primary goal of root canal treatment is to save a dead or infected tooth and avoid extraction. If tooth decay is not identified in time, it can progress to a depth where it reaches and infects the vascular and nerve structures within the pulp. In such cases, the tooth may either become inflamed (pulpitis) with intense pain or, in some instances, die without symptoms.
Regardless of the situation, the last option for saving the tooth is to clean the pulp, disinfect, prepare, and seal the canal system (root filling). Without this, the infection may spread to the bone surrounding the root apex, leading to bone resorption.
The process of root canal treatment ("nerve treatment") at Helvetic Clinics
The process of root canal treatment can be divided into two parts:
- The first step of the process involves exposing, locating, and widening the root canals, followed by disinfection
- This is followed by the final step, which involves filling the widened canals with a special root filling material (root filling)
The treatments can only lead to perfect healing if the steps are performed with great care and precision. Depending on the tooth group, our teeth can have 1-4 or even more root canals.
The success of the treatment is greatly influenced by our ability to locate all the root canals in the tooth, which often presents a significant challenge for the dentist. At our clinic, as with almost all procedures, we perform this under magnification or using a dental microscope, allowing us to map even the severely narrowed root canals.
Equipment, that assist in successful root canal treatment
Apex Locator: Root canal treatment can only achieve the desired result, i.e., tooth healing, if the previously outlined process is completed with the correct length and quality. The apex locator helps in determining the length of the root canal. Its advantage over X-ray measurement is its accuracy.
Endodontic motor, machine-assisted root canal enlargement: Allows for the safe use of mechanical root canal enlargement tools during treatment. The advantages of machine-assisted root canal enlargement over traditional hand tools include faster work, reducing the time the patient spends in the chair, and producing a smoother root canal surface, which makes the filling process more precise and easier to perform.
Another advantage is that it allows for the enlargement of severely curved or narrowed root canals, which was previously unimaginable with traditional hand tools. At our clinic, we use a combination of traditional and machine assisted tools to achieve the most precise results.
Dental Microscope: Magnification plays a crucial role in dentistry. At Helvetic Clinics, our internationally experienced specialists use state-of-the-art dental microscopes for certain cases involving curved canals.
Our teeth, like other parts of our body, have a complex structure. This intricate system is not always clearly visible to the naked eye in dentistry. Therefore, magnification up to 25 times and specialized illumination play a crucial role in mapping and precisely cleaning the root canals.
Rubber dam isolation: One of the most critical aspects of a dental procedure is keeping the treatment area dry and ensuring it is free from saliva. This is often inadequately achieved with traditional cotton rolls, known as relative isolation, which can compromise the success of the treatment.
In contrast, with proper application, absolute isolation using a rubber dam provides a perfectly dry and moisture-free working area for the dentist. At our clinic, moisture-sensitive procedures are performed with absolute isolation.
Root canal therapy under microscope (root canal treatment)
If the canal system is complex, narrow, or obstructed by a previous inadequate root filling or a broken instrument, an endodontic microscope may be required. With microscopic root canal treatment, we can effectively address even the most difficult-to-reach areas.
The procedure for microscopic root canal treatment
1. Establishing an accurate diagnosis using modern digital diagnostic tools
Successful root canal treatment under microscope relies on an accurate diagnosis. Precise diagnosis may require digital dental X-rays (3D) in addition to traditional 2D X-rays. Based on CT images, your dentist can determine the extent of inflammation, the number, course, and length of the tooth's canals, and plan the microscopic root canal treatment process.
At Helvetic Clinics, you have access to three advanced 3D CBCT machines, so you don’t need to go to an external location for imaging. The images are available on your dentist's monitor within 5 minutes in the treatment rooms.
2. Analysis of 2D X-rays or 3D CBCT images and preparation of the treatment plan
After the imaging is completed, your dentist will thoroughly examine you. The diagnosis is followed by precise planning, resulting in a written treatment plan where your dentist will propose a strategy for saving the affected tooth. From this, a clearly interpretable, graphically represented written quote with a guarantee will be prepared, detailing the steps involved and the total cost of the entire procedure.
3. Preparation of the oral cavity for root canal treatment under microscope
Before root canal treatment under microscope, the oral cavity must be free of bacteria. To achieve this, your dentist will address any minor dental issues and, if necessary, perform a dental hygiene treatment to prepare a clean and bacteria-free environment for the microscopic root canal procedure.
4. Endodontic preparation of the root canals
Microscopic root canal treatment is always performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, the endodontic specialist will isolate the tooth from the others using a rubber dam to prevent bacteria from saliva from further contaminating the treatment area. The specialist will then remove any decayed portions from the tooth's crown and access the root canals through the pulp chamber.
5.Cleaning of the Root Canals
Your dentist will use a digital distance meter (apex locator) to precisely measure the length of the canals. The complete cleaning and preparation of the canals is performed with specialized mechanical instruments, which are more effective than traditional manual tools. To ensure thorough disinfection, your dentist will rinse the canal multiple times with strong disinfectant solutions.
6. Root canal filling
If the canals can be dried and no tissue debris remains, the next step is to complete the root canal filling. The root canal filling is done using a specialized material developed for this purpose, known as gutta-percha.
If the tooth cannot be dried, it indicates active inflammation, meaning the root canal filling can only be performed later. In such cases, an anti-inflammatory medication is placed in the cavity (medicated treatment).
7. Covering the root-treated tooth after the root canal filling
After the root canal filling, the final step is to place an aesthetic restoration or dental prosthesis (such as an inlay, onlay, or dental crown) on the treated tooth.
After root canal treatment
Pain after root canal treatment is a common question in our practice. As mentioned earlier, it is normal for the tooth to be sensitive and painful immediately after the procedure. This typically lasts a few days and usually resolves within two weeks under normal circumstances.
How long does the tooth hurt after a root canal treatment?
For both conditions, it is normal to experience sensitivity, pain, and symptoms when tapping or biting for up to two weeks after the dental procedure. The tooth under treatment does not yet have a permanent seal, so it is important to protect the area as much as possible until the final restoration is completed after the root canal treatment.
Why might a root-treated tooth cause pain?
Pain after root canal treatment
Pain after root canal treatment is a common question in our practice. As previously mentioned, it is normal for the tooth to be sensitive and painful immediately after the procedure. This usually lasts a few days and typically resolves within two weeks under normal circumstances.
If a previously root-treated tooth is painful, it may indicate an inflammatory process or a flare-up of asymptomatic chronic inflammation. In such cases, an X-ray examination and follow-up are recommended. If signs of inflammation are visible around the treated tooth, retreatment may be necessary.
Price of root canal in Hungary
The cost of root canal treatment depends on several factors. Primarily, the expense is influenced by the complexity of the tooth's canal system. Simply put, it depends on the number of roots and root canals in the tooth.
The cost of root canal treatment is generally more favorable for teeth with one or two canals, as the procedure can be completed in less time. The price of root canal treatment can be found at the bottom of the page or on the dental pricelist page.
If you experience the symptoms described above and may need a root canal treatment, please schedule a consultation by calling 053 930 1323!
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about root canal treatments
What is the difference between root canal treatment and root canal filling?
Root canal treatment refers to the entire process, while root canal filling specifically refers to the sealing of the prepared, cleaned root canals.
How painful is a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is not a painful procedure, as it is performed under local anesthesia. In cases of severe inflammation, a larger amount of local anesthetics may be required to numb the tooth.
Is leaving a tooth open after a root canal treatment a good method?
Leaving the pulp chamber open during a root canal treatment is prohibited, as the mouth contains numerous bacteria that can reinfect the meticulously disinfected root canals. While it is common practice in some places to leave the canals open, we are firmly against this approach.
Is it possible to perform a root canal treatment at home?
Root canal treatment cannot be done at home.
How many appointments does a root canal treatment typically require?
The duration of a root canal treatment depends on several factors. If the root canal system is not infected, we aim to complete it as quickly as possible, usually in 1 or 2 appointments. However, if the canal is infected, the treatment may require additional visits.
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