Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is carried out when the pulp of the tooth has mortified or is irreversibly inflamed. The aim of root canal treatment is to preserve the tooth. Tooth fractures can also cause the pulp (blood vessels and nerves) to become inflamed, leading to the need for root canal treatment.

When can a root canal be treated, and when must the tooth be removed?

For root canal treatment to be possible, it is important for as much tooth substance as possible to be retained. The most common reason for root canal treatment is caries that cause the tooth to "break open". However, if the caries are so advanced that they have reached bone level, there is no point carry out root canal treatment. If the tooth has already become very loose it makes more sense to remove it.

The section on implantology provides you with information on the options available when a tooth cannot be saved.

How can I prevent the need for root canal treatment?

As mentioned above, the most common reason for root canal treatment is caries. To avoid root canal treatment, measures are needed to prevent caries. These include

• Continual care of the teeth (brushing of teeth at least twice a day and cleaning between them using dental floss)
• Regular checkups at the dentist (preferably every six months)
• Balanced diet (a lot of fruit and vegetables and only a few sweet things; soft drinks and fruit juices should be avoided)
• Fluoridation (which prevents the tooth enamel from becoming decalcified as a result of acid)

What happens during root canal treatment?

During root canal treatment, a hole is drilled into the tooth, the canals of which contain blood vessels and nerves. The damaged blood vessels and nerves are then removed, the empty canal is disinfected and filled with a filling material. The hole in the tooth is then sealed. As a result, the damaged tooth can remain in the mouth without causing pain.