Root canal
Root canal treatment is needed when the tissue inside the tooth core has become inflamed. In the root canal procedure, the inflamed soft tissue inside the core of the tooth is removed and the tooth's root canals are disinfected. After opening the root canals and removing the inflamed tissue, the root canals are filled with a medication that removes the inflammation. The root canal treatment is finished by filling the root canals and patching the tooth.
When is there reason to suspect tooth inflammation?
Contact the dentist if you experience dental pain that wakes you up or prevents you from falling asleep. The pain may feel throbbing and may worsen when by eating hot or cold food. Fever combined with dental symptoms is also a reason to contact a dentist. You can make an appointment online or by calling our appointment number 09 838 7030.
Why are root canal treatments done?
One of the most common reasons for needing root canal treatment is advanced caries, where the bacteria that have entered the tooth's core have inflamed it. Other reasons for root canal treatment include a large crack, a strong bite strain, a severe hit to the tooth, or widespread inflammation of the connective tissue of the tooth.
The need for root canal treatment is determined based on an X-ray taken of the tooth. The dentist evaluates the x-ray and, based on the picture taken, locates the inflammation in the tooth core or at the tip of the tooth root. The dentist may also recognize the need for root canal treatment during a clinical exam just by looking at the patient's teeth.
How does a root canal treatment progress?
The first step in root canal treatment is numbing the area to be treated with an anesthetic. The tooth is isolated from the rest of the oral cavity to prevent moisture from entering it. The tooth core is opened and the inflamed tissue is removed mechanically.
After disinfection and dilation of the root canals, the tooth is filled with a medication and a temporary filling is placed in the tooth. The temporary filling is in place for 1-3 weeks, after which the treatment may be renewed. Root canal treatment ends with filling the root canals and building a permanent filling once the inflammation has been successfully removed.
Root canal treatment usually requires a few visits. Root canal treatment of multi-rooted teeth can take more visits than of single-rooted teeth.
Figure 1: Determination of the need for root canal treatment, inflammation in the area of the tooth core or tooth root's tip.
Figure 2: Tooth opening with a turbine drill.
Figure 3: Expansion of root canals, removal of inflamed tissue and disinfection of root canals.
Figure 4: Filling of root canals with drug and construction of a temporary site. Within a few weeks, this will be done by filling the root canals of the tooth and building a permanent place.
Expenses of root canal treatment
The need for root canal treatment is often determined in a dental examination. The price of the root canal itself is generally made up of three different stages.
- Opening the tooth and root (67-220€)
- Dilating the root canals, removing the inflamed tissue and disinfecting the root canals (72-162,50€)
- Filling the root canals (120-180€)
The total cost of root canal treatment varies between an estimated 250 to 570 euros, depending on the tooth, the inflammation and how many roots are being treated.