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A tooth that „needs its nerve taken out“ can often be saved. Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that treats the inside of the tooth – when decay or an injury reaches the dental nerve (pulp), root canal treatment cleans, disinfects and seals the tooth, so it stays in place for many more years. At ESTERA we do it painlessly, under local anesthesia, most often in one to two visits.
When is root canal treatment needed?
Inflammation of the nerve is most often caused by deep decay reaching the centre of the tooth, and sometimes by a blow or a crack. Typical signs: strong, throbbing pain that wakes you at night, prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold, pain on biting, and later a swelling of the gums or a „pimple“ on the gum next to the tooth. Sometimes the tooth does not hurt at all and the problem is discovered on an X-ray – that is why regular check-ups make sense.
What does treatment at ESTERA look like?
- Diagnostics – examination and an X-ray showing the extent of the inflammation and the shape of the canals.
- Anesthesia – the procedure is painless; with strong inflammations we use additional anesthesia techniques.
- Cleaning the canals – the diseased tissue is removed, the canals are machine-shaped and rinsed with solutions that destroy bacteria.
- Filling the canals – the cleaned canals are hermetically sealed with a material that prevents reinfection.
- Restoring the tooth – the tooth is closed with a filling, and with greater loss of hard tissue a build-up or a crown is recommended for long-term protection.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
No – that is the most common myth. With modern anesthesia the treatment itself is painless; in fact it is the inflamed tooth before treatment that hurts. After the procedure, mild sensitivity on biting for a few days is normal and passes on its own or with an ordinary painkiller.
One visit or more?
With uncomplicated inflammations treatment is most often finished in a single visit of an hour to an hour and a half. With strong infections with a purulent process, a medication is left in the canals between two visits, so the bone around the root tip can recover. The decision is made on the basis of the X-ray and the clinical picture.
What after the treatment?
An endodontically treated tooth is „non-vital“ – it has no nerve, but it still functions completely normally. Since it has usually lost a lot of hard tissue, on side teeth protection with a crown or a build-up is often recommended so it does not crack under load. With that and regular check-ups, a treated tooth serves for many years.
How much does it cost?
The price depends on the number of root canals of the tooth and the complexity of the case; you receive the exact price at the examination. See also the dental price list. Payment is possible in cash and by Visa, Mastercard and DinaCard cards.
Where are we located?
ESTERA is at Bokeljska 7 in Vračar, a few minutes from Slavija square. Book your examination by phone at +381 66 378 372 or through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to extract the tooth or treat the canals?
It is almost always better to keep your own tooth: chewing force, the position of the neighbouring teeth and the bone are best preserved by a natural tooth. Extraction is the last option, when the tooth can no longer be saved.
How long does an endodontically treated tooth last?
With a good restoration (a filling or a crown), hygiene and check-ups – for decades. The key is protecting the tooth from fracture after treatment.
Why does a tooth darken after treatment?
It sometimes happens that a tooth without a nerve changes shade over time. That is solved with internal whitening of the tooth or an aesthetic restoration.
Is it normal for the tooth to hurt after canal treatment?
Mild sensitivity on biting for up to a week is normal. Strong pain, swelling or a rise in temperature are not – call us then.
Can a canal be treated again if the first treatment fails?
Yes – there is revision (re-treatment) of the canal, and as a last resort surgical resection of the root tip (apicoectomy).
Content prepared and medically reviewed by Dr Nenad Stanković, DDS/DMD, specialist in cosmetology, international lecturer and trainer in aesthetic medicine.
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