Root canal treatment

We begin by taking an X-ray of the root canal. This allows us to determine the number of root canals, their course, and their shape.

The procedure is always performed under local anesthesia, so it is painless. If the tooth is inflamed, anesthesia may be difficult to administer. In this case, the pulp chamber is sealed with a medicated filling, and the treatment is continued at the next appointment.

In some cases, the treatment can be completed in a single session. This usually only occurs with teeth that have a single root canal (most incisors and canines have this), while those with multiple canals (such as the premolars and premolars) require several appointments.

The first step is to isolate and then remove the decayed portion of the tooth. After creating a suitable cavity, the pulp chamber is opened. The root canal entrances are located, and the pulp within them is removed with a special instrument.

The next step is to determine the length of the root canals. Accurate measurement is essential for a successful root canal filling. The length of the root canal can be determined using an X-ray and electronic measuring device called the Apex Locator. The Apex Locator offers many advantages: it is fast, requires no additional radiation, and allows for precise determination of the root canal length, even for pregnant women. After determining the canal length, the root canal is disinfected and cleaned to reduce the number of bacteria. The canal is then enlarged. Between each step, the canal is irrigated with a disinfectant solution to remove any trapped debris and further reduce the bacterial count.

The well-expanded and cleaned canal is dried with sterile paper fibers. If the root canal is inflamed or for other reasons, drying is not possible. In this case, the canal is filled with a medicated filling (a paste containing calcium hydroxide) and temporarily sealed until the next appointment.

Once the remaining inflammation has subsided, the root canal is permanently sealed under appropriate conditions. After the canal has dried, a hermetically sealed root canal is placed.

The canal is then completely sealed. A good root canal filling is durable, completely fills the canal, and extends to the root tip. Once the filling is complete, a follow-up X-ray is taken at our dental practice so your dentist can immediately assess the result.

We recommend having your root canal treated every six months.

After the root canal filling, you may experience some pain for a few days, which is due to mild inflammation. In this case, substances released from the root canal filling and the oxygen-free environment also kill any surviving bacteria, which can lead to minimal local inflammation.

After a few days, the tooth will be completely free of discomfort.

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