Root canal treatment under the microscope – saving your natural tooth

When the nerve inside a tooth becomes inflamed or dies, root canal treatment can, in many cases, save the tooth. Left alone, the inflammation may spread into the jawbone, and by then removing the tooth is often the only option left.

Modern endodontics – the specialist term for root canal treatment – allows many teeth to be kept for years. At our practice at Gärtnerplatz, we take our time, work carefully and carry out treatment under a dental operating microscope.

When is root canal treatment needed?

The most common cause is deep decay, which lets bacteria reach the inside of the tooth. The nerve can also be damaged by an accident, a crack in the tooth or repeated treatment of the same tooth. Typical signs include:

• severe, throbbing or persistent toothache
• pain when chewing or biting down
• lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
• swelling of the gum or cheek
• a tooth that has become discoloured

That said, inflammation sometimes causes no symptoms at all and only shows up on an X-ray. The sooner it is treated, the better the chances of saving the tooth.

What to expect

1. Diagnosis: We examine the tooth and take an X-ray to see the condition and shape of the roots.
2. Local anaesthetic: The whole treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic.
3. Opening and cleaning: We open the tooth, remove the inflamed tissue, then thoroughly clean and disinfect the fine root canals under the microscope.
4. Sealing: The cleaned canals are sealed tightly so that bacteria can no longer get in.
5. Restoring the tooth: Finally, we restore the tooth with a filling, an inlay or a crown to protect it from fracturing.

Depending on what we find, the treatment is completed in one visit or spread over several appointments.

Precise treatment under the dental microscope

The root canals of a tooth are often only a fraction of a millimetre wide, curved and sometimes branched. For this reason, we carry out root canal treatment under a dental operating microscope, which magnifies the treatment area many times over and lights it brightly.

This allows us to find fine or hidden canals that are easily missed with the naked eye, and to clean them thoroughly, while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Both can improve the chances of keeping the tooth for the long term.

Why keeping your own tooth is worthwhile

A root-treated tooth stays firmly anchored in the jaw and carries on doing its job when you chew. It holds the neighbouring teeth in place and, should the need arise, can later support a bridge. In this way, a more involved replacement with an implant or a bridge can often be avoided.

Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment

Does root canal treatment hurt?

Thanks to the local anaesthetic, you will usually feel nothing during the treatment. Many patients actually find it a relief, as the pain from the inflammation eases. The tooth may feel a little tender for a few days afterwards.

How long will a root-treated tooth last?

A tooth that has been treated well, then properly sealed and restored, can last for many years. How long exactly depends on factors such as the condition of the tooth, the shape of its roots and how well it is looked after.

What happens if I put off treatment?

Inflammation inside a tooth will not heal on its own. It may spread to the jawbone and cause painful swelling. In the worst case, the tooth can then no longer be saved.

Why do you use a microscope?

Quite simply, because it lets us see far more. The high magnification and bright light help us to locate every root canal, clean it completely and remove as little healthy tooth structure as possible.

Will my health insurance cover the costs?

Statutory health insurance covers root canal treatment if the tooth is considered worth saving under the statutory insurance guidelines. Special procedures beyond this may involve a personal contribution. We will, of course, explain the costs to you before treatment begins.

Should you have acute toothache, please call us on +49 (0) 89 2013349.

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