Root canal filling

What is a root canal?

In the middle of the tooth there is a cavity with nerves and blood vessels called the pulp. A root canal involves cleaning out the pulp and replacing it with a plastic, bacteria-proof material. The treatment usually extends over a minimum of two visits to the dentist. The procedure itself takes place under local anesthesia and is usually painless. After the tooth has been filled, it can be rebuilt. This is done with a tooth-colored filling or a ceramic crown (porcelain).

Why does a tooth need a root canal?

If the pulp becomes damaged and infected by bacteria, it may never return to normal. The most common cause of such damage is deep cavities in the tooth (I). The result can be dental pain and an infection that spreads to the jawbone around the roots of the tooth (II). By root filling the tooth, the bacteria are removed and the infection is brought under control (III). In this way, the tooth can be saved (IV).

What is the alternative to root canal treatment?

The alternative to root canal treatment is to remove the tooth. If desired, the tooth can then be replaced with a ceramic bridge or an implant with an attached ceramic crown. These solutions are significantly more expensive than if the tooth is rooted and retained.

What is the prognosis?

Most teeth can be root canal treated with excellent results. However, when the result is not what we want, there can be various reasons. The most common are:

• cracks in the root where bacteria cannot be cleaned away
• extra nerve channel that is infected but cannot be detected
• calcifications that clog the nerve canal
• strong deflections on the root

Even if the root canal treatment is successful, in some cases there may be slight after-pain in the tooth for up to several months after the treatment has been completed. It’s also important to be aware that a root canal filled tooth is not as strong as before. It is therefore more prone to breaking than a healthy tooth. It is therefore sometimes recommended to strengthen the tooth with a ceramic crown.

What does a root canal cost?

The price of a root canal depends on the time required for the treatment. The work is technically difficult and time-consuming and normally takes a minimum of two visits to the dentist. In addition, there is the cost of rebuilding the tooth. You will therefore be able to get a written cost estimate in advance of the treatment.

Important!

In the process of root filling a tooth, you will normally have to go through a period with a temporary filling. The temporary filling prevents new bacteria from entering and infecting the pulp.

• The temporary filling is soft at first and gradually becomes stronger. It is therefore important to leave it for at least 1 hour before eating.
• A temporary filling is never as strong as a regular filling. Therefore, be careful when chewing. Contact us if larger pieces break off the temporary filling.
• The tooth around the temporary filling is weakened. Contact us if any of the tooth falls off.
• Do not use toothpicks or dental floss in the area of the temporary filling. Otherwise, clean the tooth as normal.