Frequently asked questions

WHAT IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

This treatment consist in the removal of the pulp tissue (nerve) inflamed or infected irreversible inside the tooth and replacement with a specific filling material, so we try to keep with his aesthetics and masticatory function.

It is done in two phases:

  • Preparation of root canals
  • Obturation of root canals.

Preparation of root canals.

After local anesthesia a small cavity is made for access inside the tooth and localice the canals of the roots. We use MICROSCOPE to have magnification and an adequate light for treatment. With specific instruments called files the dental pulp is removed from the canals. To ensure that we remove all the pulp content, we use a device apex locator, which measures the length of root canal. After removing the nerve you have to clean the inside of the roots with irrigants and endodontic specific systems. Once you clean and dry the canals, you can do the next phase.

Obturation of root canals

It consists in the hermetic sealing of the dimensional space that have been occupied by the nerve inside the roots. In this way we prevent reinfection of the canal and the bone surrounding the tooth. For this purpose we use a specific material called gutta-percha filler, together with a sealer and heat sealing techniques. Once this second phase, we place a temporary filling plugging the small cavity we do to access the nerve, thus preventing contamination our treatment should return to your dentist to replace it with a permanent filling.

Is Root canal treatment painful?

NO, it performs with local anesthetic ( the same that dentist use for fillings or extractions) so you will not feel any pain.

How many appointments are necessary to have a root canal treatment?

You can usually perform root canal treatment in a single appointment. The approximate time of this session is an hour and a half or two hours. On certain occasions two or more sessions are needed depending on the case.

Once treatment is finished in EndoMálaga, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to change the temporary filling that we place for permanent one.

WHAT IS RETREATMENT?

Sometimes a tooth that has had a first root canal treatment need for different reasons, a second root canal treatment (retreatment) to continue keeping it. This may be due to:

  • Presence of an additional canal untreated due to the complex internal anatomy of teeth.
  • Existence of agents that doesn’t allow the suitable cleaning and sealing of the canals.
  • Re-infection by bacteria. For the appearance of a new decay or leaks in the crown of the tooth that infect the sealing material.

The retreatment consists of:

  • The removal of sealing material infected
  • The total preparation and cleaning of the canals and
  • The new obturation of them.

It is usual to have more than one visit for a retreatment.

After the retreatment you must return to your dentist to replace the temporary filling for permanent one ASAP.

WHAT IS APICAL MICROSURGERY?

In some cases it is necessary to perform minor surgery to access and treat the root or roots with root canal treatment done of the tooth that is / are causing problems. To do that MICROSCOPE use is essential for a correct vision and a suitable light source, allowing us to be more predictable.

Its goal is the same as the above treatments, achieve sealing Canals.

Consists of the following phases:

After local anesthesia, you do a small incision in the gum to access the root, the infected tissue is cleaned, you remove the apical 3-4 mm of the root and a retrocavity is prepared with a specific microsurgery instruments, and you finally seal it.

(AEDE flier)

If i don't have any pain, why i have to do root canal treatment; retreatment or apical microsurgery?

There is not always pain in a tooth that has the nerve or bone affected. Sometimes these events go unnoticed by the patient, still exist pulp disease and / or the supporting bone.

Also may need a root canal in a healthy tooth to be subjected to some treatment for placement of crowns (caps) or bridges.

HOW LONG IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

We can be predicted with root canal treatment. Advances in diagnostic techniques, materials and appliances make our successful endodontic treatment in 9 of 10 cases. However, the outcome will depend on several factors, including:

  • general health of the patient,
  • Healing of the tissues,
  • The state of the supporting bone
  • Suitable tooth restauration or
  • or parafunctional habits (bruxism ...)

Do i have to come back to endomälaga after finish my treatment?

Yes. Once treatment is completed, we will give you appointments between six months and one year to follow up the treatment. These visits are very important, because we evaluate the evolution of damage in bone and ligament by taking X-rays.

IF I DON’T DO ROOT CANAL TRETMENT? IS THERE ANOTHER OPTION?

The alternative treatment of root canal treatment is the extraction. We can not let a tooth in the mouth with an irreversible pulp inflammation or infection, as this could lead to unrecoverable losses bone.

Save your teeth should always be the first choice when dental treatment is necessary. Neither the most aesthetic bridge nor the latest techniques in implants, can truly replace your natural tooth and maintain the level of the maxillary or mandibular bone. There is nothing better than your own tooth.

However, there are circunstances where it is not possible to keep a tooth with root canal treatment, and have no other option than extraction, if so our team will inform you after making an assessment of your case.



For more information about root canal treatment , according to AEDE ( Asociación Española de Endodoncia) click (AEDE flier).