Root Canal Treatment in Haifa
Root canal treatment is how a tooth whose nerve has become inflamed or died – from deep decay, a crack or an injury – is kept rather than extracted. At Shuster Dent in Haifa the treatment is carried out under full local anaesthesia, with digital imaging and the current standard techniques for cleaning and shaping the canals, so that in most cases the pain is gone after the first visit and the tooth goes on working for many years.
When a root canal is needed
Inside every tooth is soft tissue – the pulp – carrying blood vessels and nerves. When decay reaches deep, when the tooth cracks or takes a blow, bacteria reach the pulp and cause inflammation. The familiar signs are severe pain that starts on its own or at night, sensitivity to heat that lingers long after the trigger, pain on biting, swelling of the gum, or a small "pimple" discharging pus next to the tooth.
Not every toothache means a root canal. Brief sensitivity to cold that passes immediately, for example, usually points to a more superficial problem. The decision is made after a clinical examination, a test of the nerve's response, and an X-ray showing the roots and the bone around them.
Sometimes there is no pain at all, and the inflammation is found by chance on a routine X-ray as a dark area at the root tip. Treatment is still advised: a silent infection can flare at the least convenient moment, and it goes on damaging the bone around the tooth.
How the treatment is done
After full local anaesthesia, the tooth is isolated with a thin rubber sheet that keeps saliva and bacteria out of the canals. Through a small opening in the crown of the tooth the inflamed pulp is removed, and each root canal is then cleaned, shaped and disinfected to the tip of the root, using precise instruments and disinfecting solutions.
Once the canals are clean and dry they are filled with a biocompatible sealing material and the opening is closed. Where there is an active infection or swelling, a disinfecting dressing is sometimes placed inside the canals under a temporary filling, and the treatment is completed at a further visit once the inflammation has settled.
The last stage is restoring the tooth. A back tooth that has had a root canal almost always needs a crown to protect it from fracture; sometimes a post inside the root is needed to support it. A front tooth with enough remaining structure is sometimes restored with a filling alone.
After treatment – recovery and care
For the first few days the tooth may be tender to bite on – that is normal, as the tissue around the root tip is still settling. Over-the-counter pain relief is enough in most cases. Severe or worsening pain, swelling or fever are not expected and warrant a call to the clinic.
Until the crown or permanent filling is in place, chew on the other side. A temporary filling is not built to withstand nuts or sticky food, and a tooth without full protection can fracture.
A root-treated tooth is looked after like any other: brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth, and periodic check-ups with a follow-up X-ray. If an earlier treatment has failed or the infection has returned years later, re-treatment is possible, and in some cases a small surgical procedure at the root tip.
The stages of root canal treatment
Diagnosis and imaging
Clinical examination, a nerve vitality test and a digital X-ray to locate the source of pain and assess the roots.
Anaesthesia and isolation
Full local anaesthesia and isolation of the tooth with a rubber sheet to keep the field clean.
Cleaning and shaping the canals
Removal of the inflamed pulp, then cleaning, shaping and disinfecting each canal to the root tip.
Sealing the canals
Filling the canals with a biocompatible sealing material and closing the opening with a filling.
Restoring the tooth
A permanent filling or a crown – on most back teeth a crown – to protect the tooth from fracture for years.
Treatment Benefits
- The tooth is kept rather than extracted and replaced with an implant or bridge
- Fast pain relief – in most cases after the first visit
- Full local anaesthesia throughout the treatment
- Digital X-rays for accurate diagnosis and follow-up
- The tooth is restored with a filling or crown at the same clinic
The information on this page is general and is not medical advice or a substitute for examination. A suitable treatment plan is determined only after a clinical examination and imaging.
Root Canal Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
It should not. The treatment is done under full local anaesthesia, and it is often what ends the pain. In the days afterwards the tooth can be tender to bite on, which usually settles within a few days and responds well to over-the-counter pain relief.
How many visits does a root canal take?
Usually one or two, depending on the number of canals and how inflamed the tooth is. A front tooth with a single canal is often finished in one visit; a molar with three or four canals, or a tooth with an active infection, may need a second visit to complete the seal.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
For back teeth, almost always. A root-treated tooth is drier and more brittle, and chewing forces on molars are high. A crown protects it from fracture. On front teeth, when enough tooth structure remains, a filling is sometimes enough.
What happens if I do not treat it?
Inflammation in the nerve does not settle on its own. It progresses to infection at the root tip, an abscess and sometimes facial swelling, and the chance of saving the tooth falls. Pain that suddenly disappears is not a sign of healing – it is sometimes a sign the nerve has died.
How long does a root canal last?
A tooth that has been treated and properly restored with a crown can last many years, often a lifetime. What matters is the quality of the seal, the restoration on top of it, home hygiene and regular check-ups.
Can I eat after a root canal?
Wait until the anaesthetic wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue, and avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent restoration is in place. A temporary filling can break on hard or sticky food.
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