Root canal treatment

Acute, throbbing pain that worsens at night or while eating often indicates not just caries, but inflammation of the pulp — the tissue inside the tooth canal, where the nerve passes. This condition is known as pulpitis, and it requires endodontic treatment — that is, cleaning and filling the root canals.

Most patients postpone a visit to the doctor, hoping that “it will go away on its own”. But the pulp does not recover on its own — the inflammation only progresses. With deep caries, infection can penetrate the canals, even if the tooth looks intact from the outside. Without timely treatment, this leads to nerve death, cyst formation or complete loss of the tooth.

Astra Dent dental centers perform precise and safe root canal treatment using a microscope, apex locators and digital images. This allows us to save even a severely affected tooth, eliminate pain and fully restore its function. 

What is root canal treatment and why is it needed?

Inside each tooth there is a system of root canals — thin natural cavities in the hard tissues of the root. They contain the pulp — soft tissue containing nerve fibers, blood vessels and cells that nourish the tooth from the inside.

When an infection or injury affects the pulp, it becomes inflamed. This causes acute pain, especially when chewing, at night or with temperature changes. The most common causes are:

• deep caries;
• pulpitis;
• periodontitis;
• or mechanical damage (trauma).

In such cases, endodontic treatment is prescribed — cleaning the root canals from infected tissues, disinfection and hermetic filling. The procedure allows you to save the tooth and avoid its removal.

What will happen if you do not treat it?

An infection from the canal can spread to the bone, cause an abscess, pus formation, swelling, pain and even affect general health (for example, cause inflammation of the pericardium). In advanced cases, the tooth will have to be removed, which is more difficult and expensive than saving it in time.

Why is root canal treatment at Astra Dent the right decision?

The Astra Dent network has been operating for over 18 years, helping to save teeth every day even in difficult clinical situations. Endodontists have practical experience from 7 to 30+ years, regularly undergo training and work according to international protocols.

Working under a microscope

All departments use Carl Zeiss dental optics. The microscope allows the dentist to see the smallest branching of the canals, avoid complications and achieve precise filling even in the most difficult cases. This is critically important for repeated treatment or narrow curved canals.

Modern equipment

Astra Dent dental offices use:

• VDW endomotors — for processing canals without excessive load on the tissues;
• apex locators — accurately determine the length of the canal to the millimeter;
• digital X-rays — provide a clear image with minimal radiation;
• hypoallergenic materials from Tokuyama, 3M, Dentsply — for hermetic sealing.

Patient comfort and safety

The procedure is performed under high-quality anesthesia, so the treatment is painless. A rubber dam is used — latex insulation, which eliminates contact with saliva and microbes, providing a sterile environment in the treatment area.

Saving the tooth is our priority

At Astra Dent, we always try to save the tooth, not remove it. Even in difficult cases, root canal treatment is performed to avoid implantation. This is more cost-effective and allows preserving the natural chewing function.

Transparency and convenience

All Astra Dent dental offices work according to the same internal standards. This means that the quality of treatment does not depend on the location. You can choose the nearest dentistry in your area and receive the same high level of service.

The network provides a flexible schedule of appointments, transparent formation of treatment costs, loyalty programs for regular patients, as well as conditions for inclusive reception, convenient entrances, adapted premises and equipment.

Why does Astra Dent use a microscope for root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is one of the most precise and responsible stages in dentistry. The structure of the canals is complex: they are narrow, curved, and sometimes practically invisible without special magnification. That is why in Astra Dent dental centers, endodontic treatment is performed under a microscope.

Optical magnification allows the dentist to:

• see small branching of the canals, microcracks and remnants of infected tissues;
• accurately treat even the most difficult areas;
• minimize the loss of healthy tissues;
• fully control the course of treatment.

Without magnification, some canals may remain uncleaned, which leads to complications.

What happens if the treatment is performed without a microscope?

In Astra Dent practice, patients regularly come to us with complications after previous treatment in other institutions where a microscope was not used. The most common problems are:

• a broken instrument is left in the canal;
• part of the infection is not completely removed;
• not all canals are treated (especially often in multi-rooted teeth).

In such cases, Astra Dent dentists perform repeated canal treatment. But there are situations when it is no longer possible to save the tooth — it has to be removed and an implant needs to be installed. This is much more expensive than the initial, high-quality treatment with optical control.

Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor immediately at the first symptoms – pain, increased sensitivity, swelling or tooth discoloration. The sooner you start treatment, the higher the chances of saving your tooth.

How is root canal treatment done at Astra Dent?

For over 18 years, Astra Dent dentistry has been performing endodontic treatment according to international protocols. Thanks to accurate diagnostics, modern equipment and the experience of doctors, we manage to save even those teeth that were previously considered “hopeless”. Root canal treatment is a complex multi-stage procedure where accuracy is important at every step.

Diagnostics: targeted X-ray

The first stage is an X-ray examination. The doctor assesses the number of canals, their location, curves, length and depth of the lesion. The image also allows us to detect the remains of an old filling, broken instruments or signs of inflammation outside the root. Without accurate visualization, it is impossible to carry out high-quality endodontic treatment.

Anesthesia

Astra Dent dentistry uses modern local anesthesia, which provides complete numbness without unpleasant side effects. The drugs act quickly but gently — the patient does not feel pain throughout the procedure, and sensitivity returns gradually and comfortably.

Rubber dam isolation

Before starting work, the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam — a latex membrane that tightly fits the treated area. This creates a sterile environment, protects against saliva, microbes and allows the doctor to work accurately, preventing infection of the canals during treatment.

Pulp access

The doctor creates an entrance to the pulp chamber, removes damaged tissue and provides access to the root canals. This is necessary for complete cleaning, because deep inside the tooth there may be foci of inflammation that are not visible from the outside, but they threaten the future health of the tooth.

Canal cleaning: files and hypochlorite

Canal cleaning is performed with special endodontic files that penetrate narrow spaces and physically remove the remains of affected tissues. At the same time, rinsing is carried out with sodium hypochlorite — an antiseptic that destroys bacteria and dissolves organic residues. At Astra Dent, this stage is controlled using a microscope or apex locator.

Hermetic sealing of canals

After thorough cleaning and disinfection, each root canal is dried and filled with gutta-percha – a biocompatible thermoplastic material that accurately repeats the anatomy of the canal. In combination with a sealant that fills the microspaces, a dense barrier is formed that prevents the re-penetration of bacteria.

This method allows the dentist to achieve reliable sealing, restore the structural integrity of the tooth and preserve its functionality for many years. At Astra Dent, this stage is performed with high precision, under the control of a microscope or apex locator.

Control X-ray

Finally, the doctor takes a control X-ray to make sure that the canals are sealed to the required depth, tightly and without voids. If necessary, correction is performed. Only after that can you proceed to the restoration of the crown part of the tooth.

The entire procedure usually takes from 1 to 2 visits, depending on the complexity.

In Astra Dent dentistry, all treatment is carried out with maximum attention to detail, because even one uncleaned millimeter of the canal can lead to complications. That is why we treat under magnification and work only with precise instruments.

Does it hurt?

Most patients are afraid of root canal treatment precisely because of the fear of pain. But in fact, modern endodontic treatment is a painless procedure if it is carried out correctly and with the use of high-quality anesthesia.

In Astra Dent dental offices, modern painkillers are used that:

• work quickly — just a few minutes after the injection;
• provide complete pain relief for the entire duration of treatment;
• do not cause prolonged numbness or discomfort after the procedure.

Even in difficult cases, when there is inflammation or increased sensitivity, doctors choose an individual anesthesia scheme so that the patient does not feel pain at any stage.

If residual sensations occur after treatment, this is a normal tissue reaction and usually passes within a few days. You will receive all the recommendations regarding this after the procedure.

How long does root canal treatment last, and how much does it cost?

Root canal treatment in Astra Dent dental offices usually takes 1-2 visits.

The duration depends on several factors:

• the number of canals in a particular tooth;
• the degree of inflammation or tissue damage;
• the presence of complications (remains of old fillings, broken instruments, the need for repeated treatment).

A dentist’s consultation is free. During the appointment, the doctor will conduct an examination, take an X-ray if necessary, and provide a treatment plan with a detailed cost calculation.

Approximate price:

Treatment of one root canal — starts from 880 UAH. The exact amount depends on the complexity of the case, the amount of work, the equipment and materials used. Check the exact price in the department.

In any case, high-quality root canal treatment is much more optimal than installing an implant in case of tooth loss. Astra Dent always offers a clinically appropriate and economically justified solution.

After root canal treatment, the tooth remains intact — it retains its function, is not visually different, and does not cause discomfort. In most cases, a filling is sufficient, and in the case of extensive destruction, an inlay or crown is recommended. All this is discussed with the patient at the planning stage.

Why is a crown, inlay, or post often needed after root canal treatment?

After endodontic treatment, the tooth remains alive, but its structure is already weakened. Removal of the pulp (nerve) and deep canal treatment make the tooth less elastic, and therefore more fragile under load.

Why is a filling not always enough?

In uncomplicated cases, when less than 30-40% of the crown part is destroyed, a modern composite filling can completely restore the shape and function of the tooth. But if caries or a crack has destroyed a significant part of the tissues, a conventional filling:

• does not provide sufficient strength when chewing;
• may crack or fall out under pressure;
• does not evenly distribute the load, which leads to the risk of tooth splitting.

Advantages of orthopedic restoration

In such cases, Astra Dent doctors recommend orthopedic tooth restoration — using an inlay, crown or pin, depending on the clinical situation:

• A crown completely covers the tooth, restores its shape, protects against cracks and evenly distributes the load.
• An inlay is an individual microprosthetic design that fills the defect in the tooth and serves more reliably than a large filling.
• The pin strengthens the inner part of the tooth, creating support for restoration in case of severe destruction.

Such restoration allows us to extend the life of the tooth for many years and avoid repeated treatment or extraction.

At Astra Dent dentistry, all restoration options are selected individually. The doctor assesses the degree of damage, bite, load on the tooth and offers a solution that will be aesthetic, functional and durable.

Where to find Astra Dent dentistry?

The Astra Dent network includes 16 modern dental centers in the capital and 1 br anch in Lviv, so you can always choose an office nearby — in your area, near your home or work. We work where it is convenient for you.

Please kindly note!

The network has specially adapted offices for patients with mobility impairments. They are equipped with barrier-free access, wide entrances, convenient elevators and special conditions in the offices.

Addresses of departments with inclusive access:

• Svyatoshynskyi district — 3a Svyatoshynska st.
• Darnytskyi district — 152 Kharkivske highway.
• Holosiivskyi district — 100-A Vasylkivska st.
• Dniprovskyi district — 40 Budivelnykiv st. (clinic with a special elevator).

We have taken care of the comfort of all patients — all that remains is to take the first step.

Don’t delay treatment — the sooner you seek treatment, the higher the chance of saving your tooth. You can make an appointment online or by phone — we are always in touch.