Root canal treatment: how an inflamed tooth can be saved

When you are in severe pain, your mind fills with questions: What is going on? Why does it hurt? How will it go away? Often the answer is that the tooth’s nerve is inflamed. Root canal treatment can then relieve the pain and preserve your own tooth – instead of having it extracted.

Inside every tooth is the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, trauma or repeated dental work can cause it to become inflamed or infected. This often causes severe pain and, if untreated, can lead to tooth loss; the infection can also spread to the jawbone.

In root canal treatment, the inflamed tissue is removed and the canals are cleaned, disinfected and sealed. The tooth is preserved and can function normally again.

• Deep decay reaching the pulp
• Dental trauma or cracks that let bacteria reach the nerve
• Repeated procedures – large fillings or crowns can irritate the nerve over time
• Decay under old fillings progressing to the nerve
• Abscess – a pus-filled infection at the root tip

Typical warning signs

• severe or throbbing toothache
• prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
• pain when chewing
• swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum
• discolouration of the tooth

The earlier the diagnosis, the simpler the treatment tends to be.

How the treatment works

Root canal treatment takes one or two sessions. With a marked infection, a medication is often placed in the canals and the tooth is temporarily sealed until the second session.

1. Examination and X-ray: the extent of the infection and the shape of the roots are assessed.
2. Local anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during treatment.
3. Access: the inflamed tissue is removed through a small opening in the crown of the tooth.
4. Cleaning the canals: special instruments and rinsing solutions clean and disinfect the root canals.
5. Intracanal medication (if needed): with an existing infection, medication in the canal helps reduce remaining bacteria – followed by a second session.
6. Root filling: the canals are sealed with a biocompatible material.
7. Filling or crown: the tooth is finally restored to stabilise it.

Mild discomfort or tenderness when chewing may occur for a few days, especially if there was inflammation beforehand. This is usually temporary.

• take medication only as recommended by your dentist
• avoid chewing hard food on the tooth while it only has a temporary filling
• keep brushing and cleaning between your teeth as usual
• attend follow-up appointments and have the tooth permanently restored in good time
• contact the practice if pain or swelling increases

About the authorDr. med. dent. Hasan CoşkunCo-founder of LHC Clinic, Istanbul

Dr. Coşkun studied dentistry at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (graduated 2000) and worked as a dentist in Germany for around 20 years. He has placed more than 10,000 implants and now practises in Istanbul with a focus on implant dentistry.

Diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesen →

This article is for general information and does not replace a personal examination. Whether and which treatment is suitable for you can only be assessed after examination and a consultation.