ENDODONTICS

WHY IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT PERFORMED?

Within the tooth, beneath the hard tissues of enamel and dentine, lies the pulp – tissue containing blood vessels and nerves. The pulp, a vital part of the tooth, is responsible for nourishing the tooth and sensing external stimuli.

When decay progresses too deeply, bacteria entering the tooth can cause pulp inflammation, often leading to severe pain.

Neglecting pulp inflammation may result in the following:

• The transformation of acute inflammation into a chronic state, leading to bone destruction
• Secondary infection and abscess formation

When a tooth dies, and pulp inflammation occurs, the only way to save the tooth is through endodontic treatment, which involves cleaning the canals of dead or inflamed tissue.

WHAT DOES ROOT CANAL TREATMENT INVOLVE?

The dentist, under local anaesthesia, isolates the tooth with a dental dam (a type of rubber shield) to prevent re-infection from oral bacteria and accesses the inside of the tooth. Dead or partially dead tissue is then removed, and the canals are cleaned with antibacterial agents. The final step is filling the empty canals with a filling material.

The treatment is performed using magnification tools like surgical loupes or a microscope.

HOW LONG DOES ROOT CANAL TREATMENT TAKE?

The duration depends on the type of tooth – teeth have between one to even 5 or 6 canals.
Root canal treatment often requires more than one visit due to its complexity and, in some cases, the need to temporarily place an antibacterial dressing in the canals. However, we usually manage to complete endodontic treatment in a single visit.

IN 99% OF CASES, WE TREAT WITHIN 1 VISIT.

HOW TO RESTORE A TOOTH AFTER ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

A tooth after root canal treatment is much weaker than a healthy, untreated tooth due to factors such as:

• Extensive decay requiring endodontic treatment
• Necessary access creation to the tooth’s interior for quality treatment
• Dehydration – the treated tooth is no longer nourished, becoming weaker

Due to these reasons, teeth treated endodontically are often unsuitable for traditional composite fillings. Recommended restorations include ceramic INLAYS, ONLAYS, or OVERLAYS, which strengthen the weakened tooth structure when bonded. In cases of extensive damage, a ceramic CROWN is the advised reconstruction method.

WHAT IS RETREATMENT (RE-ROOT CANAL TREATMENT)?

Some teeth treated with root canal therapy can cause pain and sensitivity. Symptoms of concern include:

• Pain in a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment
• Pain when biting down
• A fistula with pus or inflammatory fluid appearing on one side of the tooth

Further diagnostic and radiological examination is required in these cases. Often, part of the canals remains untreated. The treatment involves removing the existing canal filling, thoroughly cleaning, and refilling. This procedure is performed using a microscope or surgical loupes.

The need for retreatment is often discovered during routine X-ray examinations, showing incompletely filled root canals or inflammatory changes under the roots, which may not exhibit clinical symptoms but can cause tooth weakening, general malaise, facial swelling, and potential tooth loss if not treated timely.