Precision Root Canal Treatment at Hiro Yokohama Dental

Root canal treatment, along with periodontal disease treatment, is a fundamental procedure, akin to laying the foundation of a house. No house can withstand earthquakes or long-term use without a solid foundation.

If root canal treatment is not properly performed, even aesthetically superior teeth may require retreatment, despite temporary success.

The root canal, which housed the tooth's nerve, is very complex. It varies in shape depending on the type of tooth and is diverse among individuals.

Traditional treatment with the naked eye struggles to address such complex structures, so treatment at a specialized clinic is recommended.
At our clinic, we use a microscope to ensure precise treatment and employ rubber dams to prevent infection, enabling more reliable root canal treatment.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment involves removing the nerve inside the tooth, disinfecting the infected canal, and sealing the cavity with medication to restore the tooth's functionality.

The Purpose of Root Canal Treatment

The purpose of root canal treatment is to eliminate the infection within the root canal and seal it with medication to prevent new bacteria from entering, thereby alleviating symptoms and preventing the need for further treatment.

When is Extraction Necessary?

Extraction may be necessary if there is a complete root fracture or if symptoms do not improve despite retreatment or surgical intervention.
However, even teeth deemed for extraction or fracture at other dental clinics may be treatable and preservable at specialized clinics like ours.
If your current dental clinic is not specialized in root canal treatment, we recommend consulting a specialized clinic before extraction.

Possibility of Recurrence

Studies on root canal treatment suggest that treatments performed by specialists have a success rate of approximately 90% for initial treatments and 60%-80% for retreatments.
While recurrence is possible, root canal treatment by a specialist may require alternative approaches, such as surgery, rather than retreatment.
In cases of recurrence after treatment at a general dental clinic, retreatment is usually performed.

Cases Where Root Canal Treatment Cannot Cure

Root Fracture

When retreatment and surgical treatment by a specialist do not improve or if recurrence is observed.
※ Even if diagnosed as such at a general dental clinic, there may be a possibility of preservation upon examination by a specialist, so we recommend visiting us.

Treatment Methods When Not Cured

If precision root canal treatment does not improve the condition, surgical procedures such as apicoectomy or replantation, which directly remove the lesion at the root tip, are performed.

Learn more about endodontic surgery

Treatment Methods by Symptoms

We recommend visiting us promptly if you experience these symptoms.

・Pain when biting on a tooth that has undergone nerve treatment
・Throbbing pain that is unbearable
・Swelling of the gums, pus discharge
・Pain or symptoms do not improve after root canal treatment, or symptoms recur
・Diagnosed with root fracture (may be preservable)
・Diagnosed for extraction (may be preservable)

Do not endure the pain, feel free to contact us.

1. Initial Nerve Removal Treatment

This treatment is necessary when pain arises due to bacterial infection from cavities, requiring the removal of the tooth's nerve.

Symptoms

Typical cases include unbearable pain due to cavities.
Symptoms may recur if the root canal treatment is inadequate, leaving bacteria in the nerve canal, or if the treated tooth develops cavities again, leading to bacterial infection.

Causes of Pain

Bacterial infection of the tooth's nerve causes inflammation, resulting in pain such as thermal sensitivity or spontaneous pain. If the pain is mild, nerve removal is not necessary, but if the pain is severe, root canal treatment is required as the inflammation has progressed beyond recovery.

This is caused by inadequate previous nerve treatment, leaving bacteria inside, or by new cavities allowing bacteria to enter. Bacteria proliferate within the root canal, causing inflammation at the root tip, leading to pain.

It often progresses chronically, with or without symptoms, and can cause sudden, severe pain due to acute inflammation.

2. Retreatment of Root Canal

This refers to cases where a tooth that previously underwent root canal treatment requires retreatment due to pain or other reasons.
It is necessary when bacteria from cavities reach the nerve.

Symptoms

Typical symptoms include pain when biting, swollen and painful gums, or pus discharge resembling a pimple on the gums.

Inflammation from Infected Root Canal

Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment do not feel pain even if infection occurs within the root. When bacteria from the tooth enter the body through the root tip, it dissolves the surrounding bone (apical periodontitis). It often progresses as chronic inflammation without pain, but acute inflammation can cause symptoms like swollen gums or pain when biting.

 

Reasons for Persistent or Recurrent Pain After Treatment

During treatment, temporary pain or swelling may occur due to treatment stimuli. This usually improves within a few days and is generally not a problem. Treatment is performed over several sessions, so immediate improvement is not always possible, and treatment does not guarantee a cure. If improvement is not observed, monitoring or considering surgical treatment or alternative methods is necessary.

If pain persists or recurs after root canal treatment, it may indicate that standard root canal treatment is insufficient.
We recommend consulting a root canal treatment specialist.

 

 

Consequences of Inadequate Root Canal Treatment...

Even if root canal treatment is inadequate, problems do not always arise, but it typically leads to chronic apical lesions without pain, potentially causing gum swelling or pain in the future, increasing the likelihood of retreatment.

Duration Until Treatment Completion

Root canal treatment requires approximately 1.5 hours per session.
The number of sessions varies depending on the type and condition of the tooth, typically ranging from 2 to 4 sessions.
After root canal treatment, 2-3 sessions are needed for crown placement, and periodontal treatment, preventive management, and follow-up to ensure proper healing may be necessary, regardless of the treated tooth.
Depending on symptoms, the treatment period may be extended for monitoring or considering alternative treatment methods.

Thorough Consideration for Pain

We always administer anesthesia to prevent pain during treatment. Postoperative pain is managed with painkillers.

Before visiting, you may manage pain with over-the-counter painkillers, but please contact us if you have any concerns.