Our endodontic treatments
Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment)is the dental specialty concerned with the treatment of the inside of a tooth. More in particular it concerns the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp illness (dental nerve) and periapical infections (in the bone around the root).
A dentist or endodontist removes the dental nerve when a tooth can no longer be kept alive because the nerve has already become necrotic or is likely to become. Depending on the complexity of the treatment, the dentist will start the treatment himself or will refer the patient to an endodontist.
The treatment consists of three phases: the shaping and cleaning of the root canal, the disinfection and finally the filling.
In order to avoid contamination during the treatment, a dental dam is being placed to isolate the tooth being treated from its environment. X-rays (radiography) can be taken during the treatment in order to control each stage.
Practical informations
In general, a root canal procedure is not painful. However, when the inflammation is severe, the anaesthesia may prove not to have the desired effect.
During the days after the treatment, a transitional pain is absolutely normal. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help alleviating the pain. Should the pain increase or swelling occur, it is recommended to contact us.
Depending on the type of tooth, an endodontic treatment takes one to two hours. In some cases, when there are doubts about the disinfection, a second appointment can be necessary.
The prognosis for a root canal treatment may vary a lot depending on the situation at the start. Before starting a treatment, we evaluate and explain your chances of a successful intervention. Should you be hesitant, a preliminary appointment is to be preferred.
Some of the materials used in dentistry can have an influence on a tooth’s colour. By choosing the appropriate products and by adapting our techniques, we can reduce this risk to a minimum.
Today, we can say that this risk is reduced to practically zero.
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