Microscopic Endodontics

At our dental clinic in Alicante, we specialise in endodontic treatments using cutting-edge technology, such as the dental microscope. This tool allows us to perform procedures with exceptional precision, ensuring the preservation of your teeth and improving your oral health.

What is root canal treatment (endodontics)?

Root canal treatment (endodontics) is the treatment of the "nerve" of the tooth. In reality, it's not just a nerve, but a neurovascular bundle composed of veins, arteries, and nerve fibres that give the tooth its vitality.

The first thing is to try and preserve the vitality (life) of your tooth; a deep cavity doesn't always mean we have to do a root canal. If the pulp remains vital and responds well to the tests we do, a first-level pulp treatment can be done, which consists of a direct pulp capping with a bioactive cement that stimulates the pulp cells to create a barrier and move away from the aggression.

If the lesion has already affected the nerve and the response is already pathological, we perform the root canal treatment, pulpectomy, or endodontic treatment. In this treatment, we completely remove the pulp, disinfect, and fill the canal so that it is sealed. Afterwards, it's important to do a good restoration that protects the tooth.

Occasionally, patients come to the clinic with an infection in a previously root-treated tooth. These infections can be due to various failures in the initial root canal treatment, either because the infection was not completely eliminated or because the root canal treatment did not seal all the canals along their entire length... in these cases, we will have to do a re-root canal treatment where we repeat the endodontic treatment to achieve complete disinfection of the tooth. It is a more complex treatment because all the filling from the previous root canal needs to be removed, what was incorrect needs to be rectified, and the root canal needs to be repeated, taking extra care with the disinfection of the canals. The prognosis for these re-root-treated teeth is slightly worse compared to teeth with a correct initial root canal treatment. While root canal treatment has a success rate of over 95%, in re-root canal treatment it is around 80%. Both, in any case, indicate high success rates, which is why they are proposed as the treatment of choice in cases of irreversible pulp pathologies.

Symptoms

Symptoms that indicate the need for root canal treatment (although there are asymptomatic cases):

• Tooth sensitivity: Increased when consuming hot or cold food or drinks.
• Discomfort when chewing: Sensation of pain or a sharp twinge in a localised area of the tooth.
• Change of colour: Darkening of the tooth, taking on a yellowish hue.
• Abscess or fistula: Gum with pus or the presence of a painful lump.

Types of Root Canal Treatment

• Single-rooted root canal treatment: The affected tooth has a single root and a single pulp canal. Common in incisors and canines.
• Double-rooted root canal treatment: The affected tooth has two roots and two pulp canals. Common in premolars.
• Multi-rooted root canal treatment: The affected tooth has more than two roots and more than two pulp canals. Common in molars.
• Re-root canal treatment: The affected tooth has already been treated with a previous root canal. It is performed when recontamination occurs or the initial root canal did not seal correctly. The treatment needs to be carried out again.