Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment (endodontics) is performed to save severely damaged tooth or to treat infection or decay at the center of a tooth (the root canal system).

At MDental, we try our best to make sure our patients can use their natural teeth as long as possible, therefore whenever we can, we suggest a root canal treatment instead of extractions.

During the root canal treatment, the infected pulp (the soft tissue at the center of the tooth) is removed, then the tooth is sealed with a filling.

When is root canal treatment needed?

Tooth decay caused by pulp infection
Pulp infection caused by physical damage
Tooth decay around and old filling
Inflammation caused by too much pressure on the tooth

All of the above can lead to intense toothache and painful, swollen gum around the tooth, which signals that immediate intervention is needed. At our dental clinic, our experienced dentists are using the latest technologies to assure a professional, painless treatment.

Steps of root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is a procedure performed under local anesthesia during which the dental pulp is removed and replaced by a filling. The steps of the treatment are the following:

The dentist opens the tooth through the crown and removes the infected pulp. Since this is done under local anesthesia, the treatment is completely painless.
The dentist cleans the root canal and enlarges it, so it can be easily filled.
In case the root canal treatment is carried out over multiple sessions, the dentist may place medication in the cleaned canal to kill any remaining bacteria and seals the tooth with a temporary filling.
During the following visit, the medication and the temporary filling is removed, and the root canal filling is placed.

Finally, the dentist seals the tooth with a filling or a crown, depending on the extent of the damage. Before the treatment a panoramic x-ray or an intraoral x-ray is taken to examine the root canals.

The misconceptions

Root canal treatments can extend the life of natural tooth, but most people think it’s a complicated and painful procedure. There are quite a few common beliefs about root canal treatments, but most of them are not true.

1. It’s painful

Thanks to local anasthesia, the treatment is completely painless, and if you experience any discomfort after the treatment, that can be managed with painkillers according to the instructions of your dentist.

2. It’s not worth it

Because the tooth will need to be extracted anyways. This is not true, as the point of the root canal treatment to save the inflamed tooth and to allow the patient to keep their natural teeth longer.

3. It’s only necessary if you have a toothache

Some people think they only need to visit their dentist when they have a toothache. However, regular dental check-ups are very important as root cavities can go undetected for a long time and only cause pain and inflammation when they are in an advanced stage.

4. You don’t have to visit the dentist afterwards

This is not quite true, as sometimes the root canal treatment can only be performed in multiple visits. It is very important to complete the devitalisation, as the temporary filling is not able to protect the tooth during an extended period of time. Additionally, even after the root canal treatment is completed, regular dental check-ups are recommended to keep a perfect oral health.

Pain after root canal treatment

It is natural to experience a certain level of discomfort once the effect of the local anesthesia stops. This is due to the invasive nature of the treatment, but it should go away soon. Your dentist will recommend painkillers you can use during this period.

If the pain gets worse or remains during several days, inform your dentist!

Teeth grinding can put too much pressure on the tooth, which can damage the temporary filling. The pressure can also cause inflammation in the freshly treated area, therefore wearing a mouthguard at night is recommended. In rare cases, the inflammation can spread to the jawbone, which causes sharp pain and the swelling of the cheek.

How much does a root canal treatment cost?

Cost example for root canal treatment
		Cost in €		Cost in £
Treatment	Pcs.	Price per unit	Total fee	Price per unit	Total fee
Consultation	1	0 €	0 €	0 £	0 £
Panoramic X-ray	1	0 €	0 €	0 £	0 £
Root canal treatment and filling	1	175€- 315€	175€- 315€	157£- 283£	157£- 283£
		Total	175€- 315€	Total	157£- 283£

After the treatment

After the painless root canal treatment, you can enjoy your devitalized tooth for the rest of your life with proper care. However, it is important to know, that after a while the devitalized tooth can darken or become more fragile.

At our dental clinic, inlays, onlays or crowns prepared with CAD/CAM technology can also be placed on the devitalized tooth root.

Disadvantages of root canal treatment

Every dental treatment has pros and cons, and so does root canal treatment. While it allows the patient to keep their natural teeth longer, the tooth decay and the inflammation can cause the structure of the tooth to become more fragile. This is due to the fact that after the devitalisation there is no blood supply to the tooth and the tissue cannot regenerate itself. Sometimes teeth can get discoloured after a root canal treatment. Teeth whitening, inlays or onlays can provide a solution to these problems.

Can tooth get discoloured after root canal treatment?

The most common cause of tooth discoloration after root canal treatment is a small amount of pulp being left inside the tooth. The decomposing pulp can make the tooth darken. The staining can also be caused by the root canal medications. However, not all root canal procedures will discolour or stain the tooth. Smoking and the frequent consumption of dark coloured beverages can make you more prone to teeth discolouration.

Root Canal Treatment