Endodontic treatment, also known as root canal therapy or, more commonly, “nerve removal,” is a procedure aimed at eliminating infection from the dental pulp. This infection can result from an untreated deep cavity, a fractured dental crown, or dental trauma. In many cases, endodontic treatment is the only chance to save the tooth.
What is endodontic treatment and when is it recommended?
Statistics over time show that approximately 68% of Romanians do not attend regular dental check-ups—so it’s no surprise that most seek emergency care only when the pain becomes unbearable. This pain usually occurs when tooth decay has reached an advanced stage and leads to dental infections. In such cases, endodontic treatment is the most effective solution. Unfortunately, antibiotics alone without the intervention of an endodontist are not effective for toothaches and inflamed gums.
Here are the stages of endodontic treatment, whether performed traditionally (over multiple sessions) or in a single session using a microscope:
- Removal of the affected dental pulp
- Cleaning and disinfecting the pulp chamber and canals – antisepsis in endodontic treatment
- Root canal filling – sealing the canals
- Coronal restoration
Lately, when we talk about endodontics, what it means and what benefits it offers patients, we’re actually referring to microscope-assisted endodontic treatment. At Smile Vision Clinic, our doctors handle various cases of infected dental pulp that require root canal therapy under the microscope.
The results are consistently excellent, and in many cases, patients no longer need endodontic retreatment.
Advantages of using the microscope in endodontic treatment
Studies have shown that when endodontic treatment is performed correctly, there are no significant differences in success rates between microscope-assisted treatments (completed in a single visit) and traditional treatments carried out over multiple sessions. So why is microscope-assisted treatment still recommended over the classic approach?
“In the case of traditional treatment, after multiple sessions, there is a risk that nothing will be left of the tooth (due to repeated openings and the placement and removal of temporary fillings). Even if the tooth has been resolved from an endodontic point of view, from a restorative perspective, that tooth is weakened and that is a problem.” Dr. Camil Ianes, Endodontic Specialist, Smile Vision
Advantages of the microscope in endodontic treatment for the patient:
- Fewer treatment sessions, meaning less time spent visiting the dentist,
- Lower costs (traditional treatment involves interim medication, temporary fillings, more consumables used during sessions, etc.),
- Post-operative pain occurs only once and is significantly reduced,
- After multiple sessions, the tooth becomes weakened and prone to fracture, if this happens, extraction may be the only remaining option.
For the medical team, one of the greatest advantages of the microscope is precision. Using modern equipment allows specialists to make an accurate diagnosis and choose the right treatment, as the microscope provides a magnified view of the tooth and offers a high degree of accuracy.
Why use a dental microscope?
The answer is quite simple: we use the dental microscope to achieve the best possible results. Our goal in endodontic treatment for pain is to eliminate the infection in the dental pulp (and therefore the pain), while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible and maintaining the tooth’s natural structure. The precision offered by the dental microscope helps us meet this goal for every patient.
“The dental microscope is essential in our work. It allows us to see various tooth anatomies, to remove separated instruments from canals, and to observe how the substances we use are activated.” Dr. Alexandru Cirstea, Dentist, Smile Vision
When do we use the dental microscope?
The dental microscope is especially used in difficult cases of dental pulp infection. While a mild infection can be treated by a general dentist, more severe cases always end up in the hands of an endodontist and in such situations, the most useful tool is the microscope.
How can you prevent problems that require microscope-assisted endodontic treatment?
Most patients need endodontic treatment due to deep cavities, and this can be easily avoided through rigorous oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups a process known as prophylaxis.
A dentist can detect a cavity in its early stage and treat it before it causes significant damage to your teeth. By following these two recommendations, the chances of experiencing pain and learning firsthand what endodontic treatment means are minimal.
Don’t postpone your regular dental check-ups, schedule your visit today.
Always in safe hands!
The Smile Vision Team
