Root canal treatment

Long-term solution: if the root canal treatment is carried out professionally, the tooth can be protected from future infections after the treatment and remain stable for decades. This ensures long-term preservation of natural teeth and bite stability.

Avoiding tooth replacement: root canal treatment allows you to keep your natural teeth, avoiding tooth extraction and replacement solutions such as implants, bridges or dentures.

Increased success rate: the development of modern techniques and materials has significantly increased the success rate of root canal treatments, making them a reliable alternative to tooth extraction.

Overall, modern root canal therapy enables dental care to effectively treat more serious periodontal problems while preserving the tooth’s natural tissue and offering patients a long-lasting solution.

Root canal treatment may be needed in a number of different situations, typically when the periodontium, the living tissue inside the tooth, is damaged or exposed to infection.

Below are some common reasons why root canal treatment may be needed:

• Severe tooth decay: If tooth decay reaches the inside of the tooth and bacteria enters the tooth, it can become infected, which can lead to further complications if left untreated.
• Tooth fracture or trauma: A tooth blister, crack or fracture that reaches the the periodontium can make it vulnerable to oral bacteria. This can not only cause pain, but can also lead to infection.
  
• Repeated dental procedures: a tooth that has undergone multiple dental procedures, such as fillings, crowns or other restorative procedures, may be at risk for root canal infection.
• More severe gum disease: although not the most common cause, but severe gum disease can spread as the infection spreads to the tip of the root, which may also require root canal treatment.
• Sensitivity or pain: persistent or severe pain or excessive sensitivity to cold, heat or biting may indicate infection or necrosis of the periodontium.

If you’ve experienced any of these, it’s important to consult a dentist as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and determine whether root canal treatment is necessary.
Procrastination can increase the risk of the infection spreading and cause further complications.

5. Filling: the cleaned and prepared root canals are sealed with a special material (usually gutapercha) to prevent further infection. The sealant seals the canal airtight.

6. Interim restoration: if the final restoration cannot be done immediately, a temporary filling or crown is placed until the tooth is fully restored.

7. Final restoration: following root canal treatment, the tooth is often sealed with a crown or other type of prosthesis to restore the original function of the tooth and protect it from further damage.

8. Aftercare and follow-up: after the procedure, the dentist will check the healing process and give the patient further instructions on oral hygiene and care if necessary. Routine follow-up examinations may also be carried out to ensure the success of the treatment.

• Specialised instruments: the use of rotary and reciprocating endodontic instruments makes root canal cleaning and preparation faster and more efficient, which can reduce the time and strain of treatment.
• Disinfection procedures: thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the root canal with special solutions helps to ensure an infection-free environment, which contributes to painless healing and reduces the chance of complications.
• A patient-centred approach: the dentist’s attentive patient preparation, including detailed explanations before treatment and listening to the patient’s concerns, helps to reduce stress and increase comfort.
• Post-operative pain relief: providing analgesic medication as needed after treatment and giving the right instructions for post-operative care will help minimise pain and promote recovery.

Overall, pain free root canal treatment not only provides comfort for patients, but also contributes to the success of the treatment and improves the patient’s experience of dental procedures.
The complex technological and human-centred approach of modern dental practices allows pain levels to be minimised.

Pain after root canal treatment

Pain after root canal treatment is not unusual and is often part of the natural healing process.

Below we explain the possible causes of pain after root canal treatment, how to treat it and what to look out for:

Causes of pain:

• Tissue irritation: during root canal treatment, the nerve and infected tissue inside the tooth is removed. This procedure may cause temporary irritation to the surrounding tooth and gum tissues.
  
• Healing after treatment: the human body naturally reacts to physical interventions and this can result in discomfort or moderate pain caused by the body’s healing processes.
  
• High points of contact: if the treated tooth has been sealed, high points of contact can cause pressure when chewing, which can lead to pain.
• Infection or inflammation: in rare cases, if the inflammation or infection has not completely resolved after the root canal treatment, it may cause further pain.

What to do about the pain?

• Pain relief: over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and swelling. Always follow the instructions of your pharmacist or doctor.
• Avoid hard foods: avoid chewing hard foods on the treated side to minimise pressure on the tooth.
• Ice pack: applying an ice pack to the face can help reduce swelling and pain.
• Rest: Sufficient rest and stress before recovery is needed, allowing the body to recover properly after treatment.

When should you see a dentist?

• If the pain does not subside within a few days after treatment.
• If the pain gets worse or becomes unbearable.
• If swelling, fever or a feeling of tightness around the area of the operation occurs.
• If you experience any unusual symptoms, consult your dentist as these may indicate a problem that may require further treatment.

A proper aftercare and communication with your dentist will ensure that your recovery after root canal treatment goes smoothly, minimising the risk of pain and possible complications.

3. Multichannel treatment:

• Amount of canals: large molars usually have three or four root canals.
• Treatment breakdown: these teeth are the most complex to treat, as the variety of multiple canals and their potentially awkward location require considerable expertise, time and specialised instruments.
• Price: Consequently, the root treatment of large-grits is the most expensive, as it is the most time-consuming and technical.

Other important factors:

• Channel accessibility and curvature: channels with difficult access or extreme curvature complicate the process.
• Possible complications: if the tooth infection is severe or there are complications after previous root canal treatment, this may also increase the price of the procedure.

It should be stressed that before any root canal treatment is carried out, it is important to consult your dentist for a detailed treatment plan and price calculation. This will give you enough information to make an informed decision, both from a care and cost point of view.