Root canal treatment

If the dental nerve is inflamed or has died, a root canal treatment can often still save the tooth – making it almost always the better choice than extraction. We perform this treatment under the Carl Zeiss surgical microscope, for maximum precision and the best chances of success. As a member of the Swiss Society for Endodontology (SSE) we specialise in root canal treatments – colleagues from the region also refer their patients to us for this.

When is a root canal treatment needed?

Typical signs are persistent or throbbing toothache, strong sensitivity to hot and cold, pain when biting, a swelling of the gums or a darkened tooth. The cause is usually deep decay, a leaking old filling or an accident. Sometimes the inflammation causes no pain at all and is only discovered on an X-ray.

Why the surgical microscope matters

Root canals are often finer than a hair and highly branched. At up to 25x magnification we can see even the finest lateral canals and remove inflamed tissue completely – which considerably improves the chances of success.

How the treatment works

After local anaesthesia, a rubber dam shields the tooth in a sterile field. We clean the canals with flexible nickel-titanium instruments, measure the canal length electronically and disinfect thoroughly, supported by the dental laser where needed. The canals are then tightly filled and the tooth stably sealed. Usually one or two sessions are enough.

Retreatment: when an old root filling causes problems

If inflammation flares up again in a tooth that has already had root canal treatment, that is no reason to give up on it. In a retreatment we remove the old filling material under the microscope, clean overlooked or incompletely filled canals and seal them anew. Many teeth can still be preserved for the long term this way.

Apicoectomy

If a retreatment is not sufficient or not possible, the inflammation can be treated with a small surgical procedure at the root tip: the root tip and inflamed tissue are removed under local anaesthesia while the tooth itself is preserved.

State-of-the-art equipment under one roof

Surgical microscope, dental laser, digital X-ray and – for complex root anatomy – low-dose 3D imaging (CBCT): diagnosis, treatment and follow-up all take place entirely in our practice.

Frequently asked questions

Does a root canal treatment hurt?

No, with modern anaesthesia it is about as unpleasant as a larger filling.

How many sessions are needed?

Usually one or two appointments, depending on the number of canals and the degree of inflammation.

What are the chances of success?

Very good: under the surgical microscope, the vast majority of treated teeth heal permanently and last for many years, often a lifetime.

What does a root canal treatment cost?

The cost depends on the number of canals and the effort involved. We charge according to the dental tariff and are happy to provide a cost estimate in advance. In the long run, preserving your own tooth is usually cheaper than replacing it.

Will the tooth need a crown afterwards?

Root-treated teeth become more brittle over time. For molars, a partial crown or crown is therefore often recommended to protect against fracture – we will advise you individually.

What happens without treatment?

An untreated inflammation can spread to the jawbone, cause acute pain and abscesses, and ultimately leads to the loss of the tooth.