Root canal treatment and apicoectomy

Root canal treatment (endodontics)

These procedures focus on the inside or very “heart” of the tooth. Root canal treatment is needed if the nerve of the tooth is affected by caries or injuries (from impact or an accident); in the case of gum disease (inflammation of the tissues supporting the tooth) and when previous dental restoration work is no longer properly sealed, exposing the root canal to bacteria or fluids. The primary aim of any root canal treatment is to maintain the original tooth i.e. to prevent the need for tooth extraction and a resulting gap in the row of teeth. If a tooth is missing, the imbalance in the chewing apparatus can lead to a receding jawbone.

Modern technology helps us to significantly increase the chances of successfully maintaining your own teeth. The statutory health insurance companies cover the cost of standard treatment. As an additional service, we can also use highly flexible nickel titanium files for preparing the root canal, electronic measurement of the root length and chemically active rinses with ultrasound devices to disinfect the root canal system down to the very tip of the root and into the smallest ancillary canals. Maintaining the patient’s own tooth is our topmost priority: the original is always the best.

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Treatment process

1. Appointments
As a rule, we usually need 2 appointments, of 1 to 2 hours each, for each tooth requiring treatment. These can be scheduled during a treatment planning appointment.

2. Examination and advice
Our treatment planning advice is supported by recent X-rays and a symptom-related examination of the affected tooth. This enables us to predict the success of treatment and to give our patients a comprehensive overview of the different treatment choices and the costs which would be incurred.

3. Treatment
Root canal treatment is conducted using local anaesthetic. Various dental instruments and equipment are used to prepare and disinfect the root canal system. A saliva guard and rubber dam (rubber guard shielding the affected tooth from the rest of the mouth) are also used. In the first treatment appointment, intracanal disinfection medication is inserted and the opening in the tooth is provisionally closed up.

4. Root canal filling
During the second appointment, a permanent root canal filling made of gutta-percha (a type of resin) is applied, so that the root canal system is sealed, preventing any bacteria or fluids form entering. After the tooth has been sealed with this permanent filling, the body of the tooth can be reconstructed and monitored closely to avoid any dental fractures, before a final crown or partial crown is fitted.

Root canal treatment helps to maintain your own teeth after they have been damaged by inflammation or through an accident. This treatment is conducted by experienced dentists and is generally pain-free.

Retreatment

Root canal treatment is one of the most sophisticated procedures in dental medicine. Teeth which have had root canal treatment will ideally last a lifetime. However, in a minority of cases, complications might occur, making retreatment necessary. We might then need to remove an existing crown or bridge in order to gain access for treatment. The retreatment procedure is similar to that in the first round of treatment but could well be more challenging or take longer.

Apicoectomy

If the root canal treatment or retreatment is not successful, a surgical apicoectomy may be performed as a final attempt to maintain the original tooth. This procedure is an option if root canal treatment can not be performed due to a convoluted root or if the root canal is closed off. In an apicoectomy, the root tip affected is exposed from the side of the jaw and is shortened by a few millimetres while also removing any sources of infection. An apicoectomy may also be performed if the roots of the tooth have broken off.

Root canal treatment and apicoectomy

Root canal treatment (endodontics)

Treatment process

Root canal treatment helps to maintain your own teeth after they have been damaged by inflammation or through an accident. This treatment is conducted by experienced dentists and is generally pain-free.

Retreatment

Apicoectomy

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