Root Canal Treatment

Get Microscopic Root Canal Treatment from Our Endodontist Dentists in Smith and Jain Dental Clinic In Central Hong Kong. Call Us To Book An Appointment Now.

A patient needs a root canal treatment when he/she has a toothache and infection gets into the central part of the tooth where the blood vessels and nerves are.

What is Root Canal Treatment (RCT)?

Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is a common dental procedure that is performed to treat a tooth that has become infected or is causing pain. During the procedure, the dentist removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth and replaces it with a filling material. This helps to prevent further infection and save the tooth from extraction.

Common Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

1. A hole, chip, or crack in tooth
2. Extreme pain that wakes you up in the night.
3. Significant toothache/ pain while chewing, or pain when putting pressure on the tooth.
4. Extreme sensitivity or pain in teeth when exposed to either hot or cold food/drink that lasts beyond the food/ drink removal
5. Pink tooth (internal resorption)
6. Tenderness or swelling of the gum area surrounding the tooth
7. Additional swelling around your face and/or neck
8. Swollen lymph nodes.
9. If a tooth becomes darker / brown than the surrounding teeth.
10. Traumatic injury to mouth.
11. Pimple on gums: pimple-like bump on the gums that does not go away.
12. Prolonged sensitivity to pressure or temperature.
13. Deep cavities: cavities penetrating deep into the teeth causing pain and tenderness.
14. Repeated dental procedure on same tooth can cause damage to the pulp tissue.
15. Trauma from occlusion(TFO): Extreme occlusal force can sometimes cause fracture tooth root.
16. Long-term gum disease.

When is Root Canal Treatment necessary?

RCT is necessary when the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to an injury or decay that has reached the nerve.

Delaying root canal treatment can increase the risk of the infection spreading to other teeth or even to other parts of the body. This can lead to more extensive dental issues and overall health complications.

The longer the infection persists, the greater the likelihood of irreversible damage, potentially resulting in the need for tooth extraction or more invasive dental procedures in the future.

Root Canal Treatment Process

Number of Visits: 2 – 3
Appointment Time Per Visit: 60 – 90 minutes
Recovery Period: NA

Radiograph X-Rays will be needed before, during and after the treatment. Sometimes the canals are very narrow and complex. These teeth can only be cleaned adequately using a surgical microscope LEICA where the whole tooth is magnified.

The dentist will even show you on the TV the cracks, fractures and the canals properly. Usually a crown is highly recommended after a root canal treatment.

We have 3 root canal dentist ,they do root canal treatment using Dental Operating Microscope which magnifies the image and makes it easier to view:
-Narrow canals
-Extra canals
-Crack in teeth/roots
-Calcified canals

Benefits of using dental operating microscope

-Minimal invasive procedure as it magnifies the image and make it more accessible to visualise and work.
-Improved accuracy as the microscope illuminates and magnifies the image which make it easier to address tiniest imperfection and minimise the risk of error.
-Easier communication as the image can be shown on tv and explain the ongoing procedure, which allows patient to understand better.
-Dentist can magnify the treatment area allowing for closer and more detailed examination.
-Fracture , cracks can only be confirmed through the microscope. Microscope is absolutely essential to thoroughly check the fracture and cracks on the teeth .
-Retreatment of failed RCT tooth can only be done properly under dental operating microscope.

Procedure

1. Dentist will first put anaesthesia to numb your teeth and surrounding teeth.

2. Your dentist will place a thin sheet of rubber(RUBBER DAM) around the teeth to make sure its dry and DAM also prevents you from breathing and swallowing the chemicals and material used during treatment.

3. Then they will use special instrument to drill a hole to access the root on the crown part of your teeth.

4. Then they will use thin needle like instrument to remove the pulp(nerve tissue) from the root and irrigate the canal with disinfecting solutions.

5. Later they will fill the prepared root canal with rubber-like material called GUTTA-PERCHA.

6. And seal the crown part with restorative material(dental filling).

Aftercare

Normally it takes less than a week to recover from root canal treatment but its important to look after the tooth when recovering from RCT. Your restored tooth might not be painful but you may still feel sore for few days.

you should avoid biting on hard food from the same tooth to reduce pain and help promote healing.
keep your teeth clean, and floss regularly.
though the treatment is itself painless under anesthesia, pain relievers might help manage any residual pain after anesthesia wears off
gargle with warm salted water.
stay hydrated to support healing.
Regular follow-up with your dentist.

How long will the procedure take?

Although each tooth is unique and the time required to complete the treatment depends on the tooth’s level of decay and infection you should plan on spending about an hour and a half at our office during your root canal treatment appointment or what the dentist recommend may be a single visit or 2 visit appointment.

Root Canal Retreatment Procedure

In some cases where the previous root canal treatment has not been done properly then a ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT may be necessary.
The previous root canal treatment’s material must be removed during a root canal retreatment.
To avoid infection, the root canal is cleaned once more during retreatment.
Any infection in the tooth is cleaned out by the dentist, and then fresh filling materials are put in.
You will require a root canal retreatment if you have recently developed dental decay or tooth damage.
Two or more root canals are possible. The retreatment of a root canal takes 90 minutes or more according to the pain and infection caused.

Benefits of RCT

–Preservation of natural teeth: by removing the infected portion of the tooth structure we can preserve the natural tooth structure which maintains the natural position of tooth and prevents the need for tooth replacement.
–Prevents spread of infection: during RCT the infected parts are removed which prevents the further spread of infections and medication are used to prevent the further spread of infection to surrounding tissues and eventually heals them.
–Pain relief: once the damaged and infected nerve tissue is removed there will be immediate pain relieve.
–Preserves jaw bone: as infection could lead to bone resorption and so does extraction.

What new technologies are being used

Operating microscope- In addition to digital radiographs which reduce the x-ray exposure, we also utilize operating microscopes which magnifies our field of view up to 30 times and illuminates our field with Xenon fiber optic illumination. This combination allows for exceptional diagnostic technical ability to treat the tiny root canal spaces inside your tooth.

Today, problems such as cracks, root fractures and calcified canals can be better visualized and therefore treated.

Also, a video camera on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to document our findings further. We believe that RCT should only be performed under these microscopes for the highest quality of care to be rendered.

Apex locators—These machines allow for the electronic and accurate measurement of the root length to verify the radiographic findings precisely. They improve the quality of care and allow for more precision-based endodontics.

Sonic activation—Electronic instruments create sonic vibrations, which clean the root canals more effectively and efficiently. These instruments increase the quality of care and allow for success in previously hopeless situations.

Nickle Titanium instrumentation—Today, root canal cleaning and shaping is no longer a brute procedure done with hand files. The job is now done with mechanized, engine-driven rotary files that have made the procedure more efficient, predictable, quieter, and far more comfortable than ever before.

Choose a Dentist

Dr. Chang, Jeffrey Wen Wei

Registered Dentist (Practice restricted to Endodontics)
BDS (Chennai), MFDSRCS (Glasg), MDS (Endo) (HK)
Speaks English, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin

Dr. Duncan Scorgie

Registered Dentist
BDS (Dundee 2006)

Dr. Constanza María Araya

Registered Dentist
Degree in Dental Surgeon of the University of Chile, Chile (2009)
Speaks English, Spanish

Book Your Root Canal Treatment Consultation Today!

Contact us to schedule your Root Canal Treatment consultation. Let us help you achieve the perfect smile with our professional services.

Frequently Asked Question

Is RCT painful?

The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia and is virtually painless. You may experience some discomfort and sensitivity after the procedure, but this will subside quickly.

How long does RCT take?

The procedure can take one or two visits, depending on the severity of the infection.

What factors affect the cost of RCT?

Several factors affect the cost of RCT, such as the dentist’s experience, the complexity of the procedure. Two of our dentists use surgical microscopes to do RCT if the root canal structure is very narrow, curved or complex.

Do I need a crown after RCT?

A crown is highly recommended after RCT to protect and strengthen the tooth. A crown is a cap that is placed over the tooth to guard it from further damage like cracking or reinfection.

How can I take care of my teeth after RCT?

Proper post-RCT care, such as avoiding hard and sticky foods, practicing good oral hygiene, and visiting the dentist regularly, is essential for the longevity of the crown and the overall health of your teeth.

What are the potential risks and complications of RCT?

Root canal treatment is a common and effective dental procedure, there are potential risk sand complications associated with it like discoloration, reinfection, tooth cracking, and other complications. However the benefits of RCT may far outweigh the potential risks. It depends on your oral conditions, so please consult our root canal dentists for getting professional dental advice.

With the right precautions and care, these risks can be minimized. It’s important to seek treatment from a qualified specialist, who has the experience and skills to mitigate these risks. So, while it is natural to be concerned, rest assured that the benefits of the procedure far outweigh the potential risks.

If you’re experiencing dental pain/toothache or suspect an infection, don’t hesitate to contact our clinic to schedule a dentist appointment with our skilled dentists. We will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs.