When a root canal treatment becomes necessary
A root canal treatment becomes necessary when the tooth pulp is inflamed or dead. The most common cause is advanced caries that has reached the pulp. Other causes are trauma, repeated deep restorations or bacterial infection via the root tip.
Symptoms range from persistent throbbing pain to pressure sensitivity when biting to swelling of the gums. In some cases the pulp has already died and the tooth no longer hurts. These silent courses are not harmless: bacteria migrate via the root tip into the bone and can cause granulomas or abscesses there.
A full description of the procedure is on our service overview for root canal treatment and in the background article on root canal treatment. This page describes the treatment in Rapperswil-Jona.
Treatment in Rapperswil-Jona
After local anesthesia we apply rubber dam. This rubber barrier isolates the tooth from saliva and prevents bacteria from entering the root canal during treatment. Without rubber dam a successful root canal treatment is not medically reliable.
We then prepare the root canal mechanically with rotating nickel-titanium instruments. These instruments are more flexible than manual files and reliably reach even curved canal anatomies. Concurrently we irrigate with sodium hypochlorite and EDTA to remove bacteria and organic tissue completely.
After preparation we seal the canal bacteria-tight with thermoplastic gutta-percha. The tooth is then definitively restored, depending on remaining substance with a composite build-up filling, a post build-up or a crown.
Emergencies on weekends
Acute throbbing pain, swelling or pressure sensitivity after pulp inflammation are classic emergency situations. Resident Rapperswil-Jona is open Sat 09-15 and Sun 09-12. With acute symptoms call us directly at 055 212 56 91, we try to fit you in the same day.
Complex cases and revisions
In about five to ten percent of cases a renewed inflammation develops years after a root canal treatment. In these cases a revision treatment is possible. For very complex revisions or with suspected root fracture we coordinate with our Bellevue location, where Dr. Dejan Dragisic, oral surgery specialist, performs further procedures such as apicoectomy. Aftercare returns to Rapperswil-Jona. More on decision logic in the article Root canal or implant.
Insurance and cost estimate
Swiss basic insurance does not generally cover root canal treatments. Supplementary insurance with dental care module may cover part of the costs. You receive a written cost estimate from us before treatment begins. More on insurance logic in the article on health insurance at the dentist and on cost structure in the article What does a root canal treatment cost.
After the treatment
A root-treated tooth without stable definitive restoration fractures within a few months to years. The crown or build-up is medically mandatory, not optional. We discuss the material options before treatment begins. We then recommend a dental hygiene check in Rapperswil-Jona every six to twelve months.
Getting to the Rapperswil-Jona practice
Resident Rapperswil-Jona, Bühlstrasse 13, 8645 Rapperswil-Jona. Seven minutes’ walk from Rapperswil station. Bus 991 and S5/S15 stop Rapperswil. Parking along Bühlstrasse, station parking garage ten minutes’ walk.