Endodontics

What is root canal treatment and when is it used?

Root canal treatment is a method employed to treat irreversible tooth pulpitis. The inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth’s core and canals and replaced with gutta-percha, a material which is neutral to the human body. A tooth treated with this method will stay in the mouth for a long time without causing any undesirable symptoms. The results of the treatment, i.e. healing lacerations beneath the tooth, are visible on X-ray images six months after the treatment is completed.

Dental Esthetic answers some frequently asked questions about root canal treatment:

Does root canal treatment hurt?
Dental Esthetic performs all root canal treatment procedures under local anaesthesia, which makes them completely pain-free.

How long does root canal treatment take?
Dental Esthetic examines every condition on a case-by-case basis and therefore, the prospective length of treatment depends on individual needs. In simple cases such treatment can be completed during just one visit, which lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours on average.
Treatment duration depends not only on the type of tooth and the structure of the roots, but also on the condition of the oral cavity. By and large it can be assumed that root canal treatment may last between about one and three hours. However, sometimes the process requires more visits. Detailed information on treatment duration is provided to the patent in advance.

What makes root canal treatment so potentially expensive?
Dental Esthetic aims to ensure the highest possible standard of treatment and therefore strives to continuously modernise the methods offered at the centre. Endodontics is currently a very technologically advanced field and modern canal treatment requires costly equipment. At Dental Esthetic we use such specialist devices as microscopes, an endometer and a micro-engine for measurement and exact analysis of the length of the canal, as well as equipment which allows for the root canal to be meticulously and completely filled, following previous plasticisation with gutta-percha. When widening the canal, we use precise nickel and titanium tools manufactured by reliable producers, whose maximum lifespan covers just a few procedures – often in the case of difficult, narrow canals, they are replaced after the first use!

Does root canal treatment guarantee that the tooth will be viable in the long-term?
Yes, root canal treatment is effective and guarantees that the tooth will be viable for a long time. Effectiveness is estimated at 96%. There are several factors that come into play when it comes to keeping the tooth after root canal treatment, including some which depend on the patient, which is why the dentist is not always able to give an absolute guarantee of the result. Dental Esthetic assumes full responsibility for the correct treatment process, in keeping with the current state of medical practise.

What are the most frequent causes of treatment failure?
Failures of root canal treatment most often result from the fact that is impossible to fully disinfect the canal system. Most often this is caused by complicated tooth and root system structures, and sometimes also previous incorrect endodontic procedures. Complications or infections may sometimes occur, even following correct treatment process. Therefore, Dental Esthetic recommends annual X-ray check-ups during the first three years after treatment.

Wouldn’t it be better to just extract the tooth?
Even considering the risk of failure, the consequences of tooth extraction are far greater. Also, the cost of inserting an artificial root (implant) in an empty socket and reconstructing the crown is much higher than that of root canal treatment. If the gap is left without implantation, irreversible changes will occur in the adjacent teeth.

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