Root canal treatment: saving your tooth while we can

When is root canal treatment needed?

Inside the tooth, in the root canals, is the pulp – the nerve and blood vessels. Deep decay, an injury or an old, large filling can cause the pulp to become inflamed. This can cause strong, throbbing pain, but sometimes a tooth dies quietly, with no symptoms.

The inflammation can also spread to the bone around the tip of the root. Then you may notice swelling, a gum boil or sensitivity when chewing. The aim of root canal treatment is to remove the source of the infection and save the tooth.

How does the treatment work?

The treatment is done under local anaesthetic, without pain. We open the tooth and, with fine instruments, remove the diseased or dead tissue from the root canals. We then widen the canals and rinse them thoroughly with a disinfectant solution.

If the inflammation is significant, we place a medicated dressing in the canals for a few days and close the tooth temporarily. When the tooth has settled, we seal the canals airtight with a permanent root filling. We check the position of the filling with an X-ray.

In a more complex case, for example when the canals lie in an unusual position, the 3D CBCT scan made at the practice helps with precise planning.

How long does it take?

The length of the treatment depends on how many root canals the tooth has and how severe the inflammation is. A front tooth usually has one canal, a molar may have three or four. In a simpler case one or two appointments are enough, in a more complex case several visits are needed.

After the first examination we tell you roughly how many appointments to expect and what happens at each one. If you are travelling from far away, we take that into account when planning your appointments.

Who carries out the treatment?

Root canal treatment is carried out by both Dr Olivér Muskát and Dr Babett Kenyeres. For the final restoration of a root-treated tooth – a filling, onlay or crown – the prosthetic planning is the field of Dr Babett Kenyeres.

What to expect afterwards

After the treatment the tooth may be sensitive for a few days, especially when chewing. This usually passes gradually, and a painkiller helps if needed. While the temporary filling is in place, do not chew hard food on the treated side.

If you notice increasing pain, swelling or a fever, please call us.

Protecting and caring for a root-treated tooth

A root-treated tooth cannot feel, but it can still decay, and it becomes more brittle over time. So after the treatment the tooth must be restored for the long term. For a small defect a filling is enough, for a larger one an onlay or crown is recommended.

Look after a root-treated tooth like the others: with thorough brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular check-ups. At check-ups we can also use an X-ray to see how the area around the tip of the root is healing.