Root canal treatment to preserve your tooth
Endodontics treats the inside of the tooth when the pulp is infected, inflamed or damaged — the goal is to keep your natural tooth rather than extract it.
What is endodontics?
Endodontics is a dental speciality that treats the inside of the tooth when the dental pulp is infected, inflamed or damaged. The goal is to keep the natural tooth by removing the infection and avoiding extraction.
Thanks to modern techniques and effective anaesthesia, endodontic treatments are now carried out comfortably.
When is it needed?
- Deep cavity reaching the tooth nerve
- Bacterial infection of the dental pulp
- Dental abscess
- Significant pain with heat, cold or chewing
- Trauma or fracture of the tooth
- Necrosis of the dental pulp
Symptoms of an infection
Intense or throbbing pain
Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
Pain when chewing
Swelling of the gum
Appearance of an abscess
Change in tooth colour
Sometimes there are no symptoms: the infection is then found during a check-up. A precise diagnosis is made through a clinical examination and X-rays.
What does a root canal involve?
Diagnosis
Examination of the tooth and X-rays to assess the extent of the infection.
Local anaesthetic
The area is numbed to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Cleaning the canals
The dentist accesses the root canals, removes the infected pulp and carefully disinfects.
Filling
The canals are filled with a biocompatible material to prevent any new contamination.
Rebuilding the tooth
The tooth is restored (composite, inlay/onlay or crown) to regain its strength.
The benefits
- Keep your natural tooth
- Remove the infection
- Relieve pain lastingly
- Avoid extracting the tooth
- Preserve the natural alignment of your teeth
- Return to normal chewing
After the treatment
Slight sensitivity may appear for a few days. To support good healing:
- Avoid chewing on the tooth for the first few hours
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene
- Follow your dentist's advice
- Attend the follow-up appointments
What is the success rate?
Carried out under good conditions, an endodontic treatment has an excellent success rate. A properly treated and restored tooth can remain functional for many years. Regular follow-up checks the healing and the stability of the treatment.
Why choose our practice?
- A precise diagnosis
- Modern techniques
- Personalised care
- Patient comfort
- Maximum preservation of your natural teeth
Frequently asked questions
Is a root canal painful?
Thanks to modern anaesthesia, the treatment is generally not very painful. The pain caused by the infection gradually fades after the procedure.
How long does a session last?
Depending on the complexity of the tooth, the treatment usually lasts between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours. Some situations require several appointments.
Is a crown always necessary?
Not always. When the tooth is very weakened, a crown is often recommended to prevent a fracture.
Can a root canal be avoided?
Yes, through good oral hygiene, regular check-ups and early treatment of cavities. Seeing a dentist quickly when in pain also increases the chances of keeping the tooth alive.
Endodontics in Nivelles, under the microscope
At Cabinet Dentylia, every root canal treatment is carried out under a dental operating microscope. The magnification makes it possible to find and clean every canal with a precision the naked eye cannot achieve — for a longer-lasting result and the best chance of keeping your natural tooth.
Looking for a dentist in Nivelles specialised in endodontics? Dr Shereen Coucke treats straightforward cases as well as the most complex ones.