Saving teeth
Root canal treatment
Treatment of the root canals that removes inflammation or infection from inside the tooth — so that your own tooth can stay in your mouth and keep working.
- ZEISS loupesMagnified view of the working field
- 3D CBCTImaging of roots and surrounding bone
- RetreatmentRe-treating previously treated canals
- GoalKeeping your own tooth
What is root canal treatment?
Inside every tooth is the pulp — soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels that runs through the root canals to the tip of the root. When deep decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed or dies. This causes pain, sensitivity or inflammation in the bone around the root tip.
Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) removes the inflamed or dead tissue from the tooth; the canals are mechanically cleaned, disinfected and shaped, and finally sealed with a filling. The aim is to stop bacteria from re-entering and allow the surrounding tissue to heal.
A successfully treated tooth can stay in the mouth for many years. This matters because no replacement — neither an implant nor a bridge — fully replaces your own tooth.
Who it is for
When is root canal treatment needed?
Signs that a root canal may be needed include:
- severe, spontaneous or night-time toothache
- prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the stimulus
- pain when biting or touching the tooth
- gum swelling or a small "pimple" next to the tooth
- darkening of a tooth after an injury
- a change at the root tip seen on an X-ray or CBCT scan, sometimes without symptoms
Symptoms do not always mean a root canal is needed — and their absence does not mean it is not. The decision is made by the dentist after a clinical examination and imaging, and an assessment of whether the tooth can be saved in the long term.
In our surgery
What we use at Swiss Dental
We treat root canals under ZEISS loupe magnification and, when indicated, rely on 3D CBCT imaging for more complex cases.
Root canals are very narrow and often curved, and some teeth have additional canals that are hard to see with the naked eye. ZEISS dental loupes magnify the working field, so canal openings, cracks and remnants of old fillings are easier to see than with the naked eye. This is especially important for retreatments and teeth with complex anatomy.
Our CS 8200 3D unit provides three-dimensional imaging of the teeth, root canals and surrounding bone. In complex cases, a CBCT scan helps identify the number and course of the canals, changes at the root tip and their relationship to nearby structures.
We offer root canal treatment and retreatment — re-treating canals that were filled before but where inflammation has returned or never healed.
- Magnification
- ZEISS dental loupes
- Imaging
- Digital X-ray (RVG), 3D CBCT — CS 8200 3D
- Services
- Root canal treatment and retreatment
Better visibility
Loupe magnification helps locate and clean the accessible canals.
3D imaging when needed
CBCT shows root anatomy and bone changes that a 2D X-ray may not reveal.
Saving the tooth
The aim is to keep your own tooth whenever this is justified in the long term.
First treatment or retreatment?
Retreatment means treating a tooth whose canals have already been filled. It is needed when inflammation returns or never fully healed — for example because a canal was missed, the filling leaks or new decay has developed.
| — | Root canal treatment | Retreatment |
|---|---|---|
| When | The pulp is inflamed or dead | A previous root filling has failed or leaks |
| What is done | Pulp removal, cleaning, disinfection, shaping and filling of the canals | Removal of the old filling, re-cleaning, disinfection and re-filling |
| Complexity | Depends on the number and shape of canals | Generally more demanding and time-consuming |
If a tooth cannot be saved in the long term even with retreatment, your dentist will discuss other options with you, including an implant.
Procedure
What does the procedure involve?
Depending on the tooth and the degree of inflammation, treatment takes one or more appointments.
Diagnosis
Examination, sensitivity tests and imaging — a digital X-ray, and a 3D CBCT scan if needed.
Anaesthesia and access
After local anaesthesia, decay is removed and access to the pulp is opened.
Cleaning, disinfection and shaping
Under loupe magnification, the canals are located, mechanically cleaned with special instruments, disinfected and shaped.
Temporary dressing
If inflammation is significant, a medicated dressing is placed in the canal until the next visit.
Filling the canals
The cleaned canals are filled and sealed.
Restoring the tooth
The tooth is closed with a filling, and often needs protecting with a crown.
Benefits
Why save a tooth with root canal treatment?
Your own tooth stays
The root, the bone around it and natural chewing sensation are preserved.
Removes the cause of pain
Treatment removes the inflammation causing pain and swelling.
Treating the source of infection
Untreated infection can affect the bone around the root.
Less extensive than replacement
Treatment is usually simpler than extracting and replacing a tooth.
More precise work
Loupe magnification and, when indicated, CBCT improve visibility of complex canals.
Realistic expectations
- Not every tooth can be saved — for example with a vertical root fracture or very little remaining tooth.
- If a tooth has lost a lot of hard tissue through decay, previous fillings or access to the canals, it often needs protecting with a crown.
- Healing of the bone around the root can take months and is monitored with follow-up X-rays.
Duration and recovery
Duration and recovery
- Number of appointments
- One or more, depending on the tooth
- Anaesthesia
- Local
- Tenderness afterwards
- Possible for a few days, usually mild
- Follow-up X-ray
- As recommended by your dentist
After treatment, the tooth may be tender to bite on for a few days. This is a normal reaction of the tissue around the root and usually settles with ordinary painkillers.
Until the tooth has its definitive filling or crown, avoid chewing hard food on that side so the weakened tooth does not fracture.
The number of appointments and length of treatment depend on the number and shape of the canals, the inflammation and the individual case.
Results and maintenance
Results and maintenance
A successfully treated tooth no longer hurts and can take part in chewing normally. Inflammation in the bone around the root tip heals gradually, which is monitored with follow-up X-rays.
A treated tooth can still decay, and the canals can become recontaminated if the filling or crown leaks. A good restoration and regular check-ups are therefore key to long-term success.
Looking after a treated tooth
- Timely definitive restoration — a filling or crown as recommended
- Brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth
- Regular check-ups and follow-up X-rays
- Avoiding very hard food on the treated tooth until it is protected
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Call us or send an enquiry.
+385 99 268 6537Does root canal treatment hurt?
Treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia, so for most patients the procedure itself is well tolerated. Afterwards the tooth may be tender to bite on for a few days, which is usually well controlled with painkillers.
Why do you use magnification for root canal treatment?
Root canals are very narrow, and some are hard to see with the naked eye. ZEISS dental loupes magnify the working field, which makes it easier to locate, clean and disinfect the canals — especially in retreatments and complex anatomy.
How many appointments are needed?
It depends on the number and shape of the canals and on the inflammation. Some teeth can be treated in one visit; with more significant inflammation or retreatment, several visits with a medicated dressing in between are needed.
What is root canal retreatment?
Retreatment is the repeat treatment of a tooth whose canals were filled before but where inflammation has returned or never healed. The old filling is removed and the canals are cleaned, disinfected and filled again. It is generally more demanding than the first treatment.
Does the tooth need a crown afterwards?
It depends on how much tooth structure remains. A tooth that has lost a lot of tissue through decay, previous fillings and treatment — especially a back tooth — often needs a crown; with less tissue loss, a filling may be enough. Your dentist will advise after treatment.
Is it better to extract the tooth and place an implant?
When a tooth can be reliably saved, keeping your own tooth is generally the better choice. If the prognosis is poor — for example with a root fracture — an implant may be the better long-term solution. The decision is made individually after examination and imaging.
Can a treated tooth hurt again?
It can, if inflammation returns — for example because a filling leaks or new decay develops. Retreatment can then be considered. Regular check-ups help catch problems early.
