What is root canal treatment?
Inside every tooth there is a soft tissue, the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, a knock or a fracture damages it, the result is severe pain, sensitivity to hot and cold or an abscess. Root canal treatment (endodontics) involves removing the affected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals and sealing them so that the tooth can go on working for many years.
Symptoms that may mean you need root canal treatment
- Severe toothache that comes on by itself or wakes you at night.
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold.
- Pain when chewing or when the tooth is touched.
- A swollen gum or an abscess.
- A tooth that has darkened after a knock.
How we do it at our clinic
We work with local anaesthetic, rubber dam isolation and rotary instruments. We also use magnification, which lets us see the inside of the tooth in detail and locate and treat each canal more precisely, for better results. X-rays allow us to check the length of each canal.
Every tooth is different, so there is no standard time: we give it the time it needs and explain beforehand what your treatment will involve.
After root canal treatment: restoring the tooth
Once the root canal treatment is finished, we restore the tooth. Depending on the case, and above all on how much healthy tooth is left, we recommend protecting it with an onlay or a crown to prevent it from fracturing.
Root canal treatment in Santa Maria del Camí
Root canal treatment is the great passion of Dr Mª Magdalena Coll, the clinic's director, who has completed a postgraduate course in clinical endodontics with microscope and endodontic surgery and a master's in advanced endodontics.
Toothache can't wait. If you have symptoms, call us: we assess emergencies the same day during opening hours and, if necessary, start treatment to relieve the pain.
What you gain
- You keep your own tooth
- Pain-free: anaesthetic and rotary technique
- Magnification for more precise treatment
- Restored with an onlay or a crown, depending on the case
Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment in Santa Maria del Camí
Does root canal treatment hurt?
No. It is carried out under local anaesthetic and is, in fact, the treatment that gets rid of the pain. After the session there may be mild discomfort for a day or two, which can be managed with ordinary painkillers.
How long does a root-filled tooth last?
With a good restoration and regular check-ups, a root-filled tooth can last a lifetime.
Is it better to have root canal treatment or have the tooth taken out?
Whenever the tooth can be saved, root canal treatment is the best option: it keeps your natural tooth, your ability to chew and the bone, and it costs less than replacing the tooth with an implant.
Will I need an onlay or a crown afterwards?
After root canal treatment we always restore the tooth. Depending on how much tooth is left, we recommend protecting it with an onlay or a crown to prevent fractures, especially in molars and premolars.