Due to advanced decay or accidents roots can get infected and can die off. With our most up-do-date dental instruments and microscopes and in cooperation with our specialists we can, in most cases, rescue and repair even badly hurting teeth and hence avoid extraction.
What is root canal treatment
A root canal treatment is the attempt to save a damaged tooth. This is mostly an inflammation or damage to the tooth nerve. The most common cause of such inflammation of the tooth root is tooth decay. However, tooth nerves can become inflamed and, in the worst case, even die off, not only as a result of large caries, but also as a result of accidents.
With the most modern instruments and microscopes, in cooperation with our specialists, we can usually preserve painful and severely damaged teeth and thus avoid the “tooth pulling” route. A root canal treatment usually does not cause any pain, as the tooth to be affected is anesthetized by the dentist in advance. The duration of an appointment for a dental root treatment is on average 60 minutes. To save the diseased tooth, about 2-3 sessions are required, depending on the treatment case.
When is a root canal treatment necessary?
Root canal treatment is necessary when a caries defect has become so deep that bacteria can invade the tooth nerve. This is often noticeable as a severe toothache, which is caused by the inflammation of the tooth nerve. In other cases, the inflammation of the tooth nerve is "asymptomatic", i.e. without symptoms and therefore remains unnoticed for a longer period of time. If the inflammation of the tooth nerve persists for a long time, the bacteria can migrate via the nerve canal to the bone and form an abscess there. This is noticed either as a painful swelling in the mouth, or it empties through a fistula, which often appears like a small "Bibeli" in the mouth.
A root canal treatment is not only necessary for deep caries. Bacteria can also get into the dental nerve through accidents or other events. In all cases mentioned, root canal treatment is necessary to preserve the affected tooth. During such an operation, the contaminated tooth nerve must be removed and the nerve canal cleaned and internally disinfected. A medication is applied to the root canal in order to remove as much bacteria as possible (decontamination). A root canal treatment is usually carried out in two to three sessions, depending on how large the bacterial colonization of the canal is and how extensive the inflammation is. If the tooth is absolutely symptom-free, the root canal can then be filled and the tooth closed again.
Root canal treatment is a tried and tested treatment method that has a very good prognosis.
Cost of a root canal treatment
Are you wondering how much a root canal treatment costs?
The costs for a tooth root treatment are mainly based on the number of canals to be treated and are between CHF 750 and 1,800. As your specialist for root canal treatments in Zurich, we would be happy to put together a tailored offer for you free of charge.
How is the treatment process
A root canal treatment usually consists of 2-3 sessions. If the tooth nerve of the affected tooth is still alive, local anesthesia is placed in the first session and the tooth is numbed. Your dentist then inserts small measuring instruments into the root canals at the ZurichDental dental practice. Using the latest technology and electronic measuring devices, it is possible for us to determine the length of the channels.
The inflamed or dead tooth nerve tissue is then removed with small, flexible files. The entire root canal is then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in several passes. Only after the tooth has been completely disinfected from the inside is the canal filled with a medicinal insert. The insert contains other strongly disinfecting substances or antibacterial drugs such as antibiotics. At the end of the treatment, the tooth is closed using a provisional and easily removable material. Usually, depending on the thickness of the inflamed tissue, you wait a few days or weeks for the infection and pain to subside.
In the following sessions, the nerve canal is carefully widened to remove the bacterially contaminated wall substance. The affected tooth is rinsed again with a disinfectant and the medicinal insert is changed. Several such sessions may be necessary if the infection is severe and the inflammation is acute.
First when this has been carried out successfully and the tooth is still free of pain and symptoms, the dental nerve canal can be hermetically sealed in a third session with a special root canal filling material. In order to avoid consequential damage from the treatment, the tooth must be finally sealed. As a result, no microorganisms in the mouth can penetrate the jawbone and no new infections, swellings or even abscesses arise. For this, the root filling and the pulp must be tightly sealed.
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After the root canal treatment
After the root canal has been successfully filled, the so-called access opening is also closed. This is the very small hole in the chewing surface of the tooth that we use to get to the tooth nerve for treatment. After the successful root treatment, it is closed again with a plastic filling material.
A root-filled tooth should always be stabilized in the medium term with an onlay or a crown, especially in the chewing-loaded posterior region, since root-filled teeth begin to become more brittle after about 6 months and thus break more easily. In the worst case, this can lead to the loss of the tooth even after a successful root treatment.
Benefits of a root canal treatment
- Preservation of the affected tooth
- Usually no dentures are necessary
- A root-treated tooth is more aesthetically pleasing than a denture
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More information on root canal treatments
If severe discomfort occurs before the first session, the pain or swelling usually only subsides after a few days. The root canals may need to be cleaned, disinfected and medicated several times. As soon as the pain has completely subsided, the tooth root canal can be closed.
After a root canal treatment, it is possible that the natural tooth may turn a little darker. Although this does not have any negative effects on health, it can be perceived as annoying by the patient. If this is the case, the treating dentist can try to whiten the tooth again.
A lot of patience, care and sensitivity is required for a successful root canal treatment. However, the result is worth it! After a successful root canal treatment, the tooth is usually preserved for many years.
However, it should not be left out of the fact that root treatments are only attempts to save the teeth. The root-treated tooth becomes more brittle after a certain time. In order to prevent possible fractures, the tooth should be protected with a crown within six months if the treatment is repeated.
Particularly demanding root treatments or revisions (renewals) of old insufficient root fillings are carried out in our clinic by specially trained dentists under a high-resolution surgical microscope. So you get a better quality treatment with the same tax point value.
Swelling and pain are usually common after a root canal treatment. However, root treatment also carries other possible risks:
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Muscles, bones and nerves are injured
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Loss of the treated tooth
- Opening of the maxillary sinus
- Need for apicectomy
- Have your teeth checked by your dentist twice a year. In this way, damage can be identified and treated at an early stage. An x-ray of all teeth should also be taken at least every two years.
- Before a tooth with a Crown or a complex restoration is carried out, it must be clarified whether the tooth holding apparatus and the tooth roots are in order. The survival time of the tooth depends on this. There is often a certain risk here and you have to help decide whether the tooth should be removed or an attempt to preserve it.
- Before making a crown or similar, it must be clarified whether a root canal treatment is necessary or whether it needs to be renewed.
