Endodontic treatment – Saving your tooth at Dobrý Dent

The dental pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It can become inflamed or infected for several reasons:

• Deep tooth decay: Bacteria from decay penetrate the enamel and dentin to the pulp of the tooth.
• Tooth trauma: A strong impact can damage the pulp, even if there is no visible damage on the surface of the tooth.
• Repeated dental procedures: Large fillings or crowns can lead to irritation and inflammation of the pulp over time.
• A crack in the tooth: A crack can allow bacteria to enter the pulp.

If inflamed or infected pulp is left untreated, the infection can spread further through the root canal to the bone around the tip of the root. This can lead to the formation of an abscess (a sac of pus), severe pain, swelling and ultimately tooth loss. Untreated inflammation can also pose a risk to your overall health, as bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. So endodontic treatment not only saves the tooth, but also protects your overall health.

The need for root canal treatment can manifest itself in various ways. The most common symptoms include:

• Severe, spontaneous, or throbbing toothache: Pain may worsen at night or when biting down.
• Persistent sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli: Sensitivity that persists even after the stimulus is removed.
• Pain when biting down or tapping the tooth.
• Darkening (graying) of the tooth: A change in color may indicate pulp death.
• Swelling of the gums around the affected tooth: Sometimes a small „fistula“ may also appear (lump) on the gum, from which pus may ooze.
• Sometimes inflammation can be asymptomatic: The problem may be discovered incidentally during an X-ray examination during a preventive examination.

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly increase the chance of successfully saving your tooth.

At Dobrý Dent, operating in Prague since 2010, we emphasize maximum quality of care, precision and patient comfort. This is doubly true for endodontic treatment, as it is a very demanding procedure requiring specific equipment and experience. Here are the reasons why we are the right choice:

1. Cutting-edge technological equipment:

• Operating microscope: We consider it the absolute standard for quality endodontics. The microscope provides multiple magnification and perfect illumination of the working field. This allows us to see even the smallest details inside the tooth, find all root canals (the number and shape of which can be very variable), thoroughly clean them and precisely fill them. Treatment under a microscope significantly increases the success rate of the procedure and minimizes the risk of complications.
• STA System (The Wand): To ensure maximum comfort, we use computer-controlled STA anesthesia. This system allows the anesthetic to be applied very slowly and in a controlled manner, resulting in an almost imperceptible injection and effective, painless anesthesia without the unpleasant feeling of “numbness” of half of the face.
• CBCT (3D X-ray): In complex cases or when the diagnosis is unclear, we use Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). This 3D X-ray provides us with a detailed three-dimensional image of the tooth and surrounding structures, which is invaluable for accurate treatment planning, especially for teeth with complex root canal anatomy or when complications are suspected.
• Digital X-ray (RVG): For standard diagnostics and control during treatment, we use digital radiovisiography, which provides instant images with minimal radiation exposure.
• 3D Intraoral Scanner: After successful endodontic treatment, it is often necessary to provide the tooth with a crown or onlay to strengthen it. Thanks to our 3D scanner, we can make accurate digital impressions without the need for uncomfortable impression materials.

2. Experienced team and expertise:

Our team of dentists has extensive experience in performing endodontic treatments, including complicated ones. We regularly educate ourselves in the latest procedures and technologies in order to offer you the highest level of care.

3. Emphasis on painlessness and comfort:

We understand that visiting the dentist, especially for root canal treatment, can be associated with concerns. That is why we do our best for your comfort. In addition to painless STA anesthesia, we ensure a pleasant and calming environment in our clinic in Prague 5 and an individual, empathetic approach to each patient.

4. Comprehensive care under one roof:

At Dobrý Dent, we provide a wide range of dental services. After endodontic treatment, we can also offer you subsequent tooth reconstruction (filling, onlay, crown) using modern materials and technologies to make your tooth not only functional, but also aesthetically perfect.

The root canal treatment process itself usually requires one to two visits, depending on the complexity of the case and the condition of the tooth. Here is an overview of the individual steps:

1. Diagnosis and planning: At the beginning, we will perform a thorough examination, including taking X-rays (RVG, or CBCT) to accurately assess the condition of the tooth and plan the optimal procedure.
2. Anesthesia: To ensure your maximum comfort, we apply local anesthesia, most often using the STA system, to make the entire procedure completely painless.
3. Isolation of the working field (Cofferdam): We will place a special rubber membrane called a Cofferdam on the tooth. This isolates the treated tooth from the rest of the oral cavity, ensures a dry and clean working area (which is crucial for the success of the treatment), protects you from swallowing small instruments or disinfectant solutions, and prevents contamination of the canals with saliva and bacteria.
4. Creating access: The doctor creates a small opening in the crown of the tooth to gain access to the pulp cavity and root canals.
5. Removing the pulp, cleaning and shaping the canals: Using special small instruments and under the control of an operating microscope, the doctor carefully removes the infected or inflamed pulp. Then, the root canals are thoroughly cleaned, widened and shaped into the desired shape. We use modern rotary instruments and precise electronic canal length meters (apex locators).
6. Disinfection: The canals are repeatedly flushed with disinfectant solutions that remove remaining bacteria and tissue debris. Thorough disinfection is essential for the long-term success of the treatment.
7. Root canal filling: After thorough cleaning and drying, the canals are hermetically filled. The most common is the biocompatible gutta-percha material used in combination with a special sealant, which ensures perfect sealing of the canals and prevents the re-penetration of bacteria. The quality of the filling is checked by X-ray.
8. Tooth sealing: Finally, the hole in the crown of the tooth is closed with a temporary or definitive filling.

After treatment, the tooth may be sensitive to bite for a few days, which is a normal reaction. Any mild pain can be relieved with commonly available analgesics. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions regarding the care of the treated tooth.

Subsequent reconstruction of the tooth is key! A tooth after endodontic treatment is more fragile and more prone to cracking because it has lost its internal structure and nutrition. Therefore, in most cases, it is necessary to provide it with a high-quality restoration as soon as possible – most often a ceramic onlay or crown. This will strengthen the tooth, protect it from fracture and restore its full function and aesthetics. At Dobrý Dent, we will be happy to design and manufacture the optimal solution for your treated tooth using our 3D scanner and high-quality materials.

You may wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to have your diseased tooth extracted. In the short term, this may seem like an easier solution, but in the long term, saving your tooth through endodontic treatment is almost always the best option. Why?

• Preserving natural function: Your own tooth is perfectly adapted for chewing and speaking.
• Aesthetics: Preserving the tooth contributes to the natural appearance of your smile.
• Preventing tooth displacement: A gap after an extracted tooth can lead to the displacement of surrounding teeth, which can cause bite problems and other complications.
• Cost-effectiveness: Although quality endodontic treatment and subsequent crown represent an investment, replacing a lost tooth (with a bridge or implant) is usually more expensive and time-consuming.
• Less invasiveness: Endodontic treatment is less invasive than extraction and subsequent implant placement.

At Dobrý Dent, we believe in the value of natural teeth and we will do our best to save them using modern endodontics.

Thanks to modern procedures, precise techniques under a microscope and effective painless anesthesia (STA), endodontic treatment in our clinic is a comfortable and reliable procedure. We understand your possible concerns and are here to explain everything to you and ensure the most pleasant course of treatment. Our goal is not only to treat your tooth with high quality, but also to dispel the myths and fears associated with this procedure.