When is root canal treatment necessary?

Root canal treatment is necessary whenever the dental pulp becomes damaged or inflamed — the goal is to preserve the natural tooth and prevent extraction. The most common reason is a deep cavity that has penetrated through the enamel and dentin all the way to the neurovascular bundle inside the tooth. If endodontic treatment is performed promptly and correctly, the treated tooth can last for many more years.

When is root canal treatment necessary

Inflammation of the dental pulp (pulpitis) manifests as intense, often throbbing pain that worsens at night or upon contact with heat or cold. However, it does not always cause pain — the pulp can die without noticeable symptoms, and the problem may only be discovered on an X-ray. The most common situations in which a dentist recommends root canal treatment include:

• Deep tooth decay — if the carious lesion penetrates into the pulp chamber, bacteria attack the neurovascular bundle and trigger inflammation.
• Dental trauma — a crown or root fracture can expose the pulp and open a pathway for infection.
• Repeated extensive fillings — each new treatment of the tooth weakens the protective layer of dentin; after several filling replacements, the remaining wall can no longer protect the pulp.
• Abscess at the root — a purulent focus indicates that the infection has spread beyond the tooth, and without root canal treatment, the inflammation cannot be cured.
• Planned prosthetic restoration — in some cases, the dentist recommends root canal treatment before placing a crown to prevent future complications.

If you notice tooth sensitivity to heat, spontaneous pain, or gum swelling, book an examination as soon as possible. The sooner restorative dentistry is involved, the higher the chance of saving the tooth.

How root canal treatment is performed

The entire procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia at our clinic, so you should not feel any pain. The dentist first isolates the tooth using a rubber dam — a thin latex sheet that prevents saliva from entering the treated area and ensures sterile conditions. Then the access to the pulp chamber is opened and the inflamed or necrotic nerve is removed using specialised instruments.

This is followed by mechanical and chemical cleaning of the root canals. The canals are gradually widened and flushed with disinfecting solutions to eliminate all bacteria. Precise measurement of each canal’s length using an apex locator plays an important role. The cleaned canals are then hermetically sealed with a special material (gutta-percha), and the tooth is closed with a filling or a temporary crown.

In more complex cases, the treatment may be split into two visits. Between them, the dentist places a calcium hydroxide medicament inside the canals to help eliminate remaining bacteria.

What to do after treatment and how to care for the tooth

After root canal treatment, it is completely normal for mild sensitivity or a dull ache when biting to appear around the tooth. These symptoms usually subside within a few days. If the discomfort persists for more than a week or worsens, contact us — you can learn more in our article about pain after root canal treatment.

A treated tooth loses its blood supply from the pulp, making it more brittle than a vital tooth. We therefore recommend:

1. Avoid hard foods on the side of the treated tooth during the first few days after the procedure.
2. Attend the follow-up appointment at the time specified by your dentist.
3. Consider treatment under a dental microscope and subsequent coverage with a crown — the crown acts as a protective shell and significantly extends the tooth’s lifespan.

With proper care and a quality crown, an endodontically treated tooth can last for decades.

When to consider root canal retreatment

The infection is not always cured on the first attempt. If pain or inflammation at the root of the tooth recurs after some time, root canal retreatment is warranted. This involves re-cleaning and re-filling the root canals, this time using a dental operating microscope that allows the detection of overlooked canals or hairline cracks in the root.

Reasons why retreatment may be necessary include:

• Anatomically complex root canals that were not fully cleaned during the initial treatment.
• A leaking filling or crown that allowed bacteria to re-enter.
• New decay in the area of the treated tooth.

Root canal retreatment is more demanding than primary endodontic treatment but still represents a better option than extraction.

How much does root canal treatment cost

The price depends on the number of root canals and the complexity of the case. At our clinic in Brno, root canal treatment starts from €230. Retreatment, which is technically more demanding, costs from €340. Your dentist will provide an exact estimate after the examination and evaluation of the X-ray. You can find a full overview of prices on our Pricing page.

If you suspect your tooth needs root canal treatment, do not delay your visit — the sooner the problem is addressed, the simpler and more affordable the treatment tends to be. Book online or contact us by phone.