Root canal treatment
You have a tooth with deep decay or a pain that reaches the nerve.
- Removes the infected pulp and saves the tooth
- Under local anaesthetic, often in a single session
Home · Services · Endodontics (root canal)
Endodontics · Root canal · OlbiaYour tooth can be saved.
Severe toothache, an abscess, deep decay: root canal treatment is not the end of the tooth, it is the way to keep it. In Olbia we treat the infected inner part and preserve your natural tooth, with a 3D CT scan (CBCT) on site for the more complex canals.
When the pain won't go away
Two needs, one answer: stop the pain and keep the tooth
When you look for a dentist with severe pain, perhaps at night, or with a swollen cheek, you want two things at once: for the pain to stop and not to lose the tooth. Root canal treatment answers both.
We remove the infected pulp — the inner part of the tooth where the nerve and vessels run — and seal the canals. All under local anaesthetic: often it is the treatment itself that takes away the pain that brought you to us.
Pain-free
When is root canal treatment needed?
Deep decay reaching the nerve · spontaneous pain, often worse at night · sensitivity to hot or cold that persists long after the stimulus · swelling of the gum or a small pocket of pus (abscess) · a tooth that hurts when biting · a tooth that darkens after an injury. Every case needs to be confirmed with a clinical assessment.
On site
Our precision
The 3D CT scan for the canals you can't see
A tooth's canals can be narrow, curved or hidden. With the 3D CT scan (CBCT) on site we map them before treating and pinpoint abscesses and lesions at the tip of the root, even when an ordinary X-ray is not enough.
- Complex canals: mapped in 3D before we start.
- Diagnosis of abscesses and lesions: precise, with no surprises.
- Urgent cases handled calmly: acting early stops the infection.
How it works
Root canal treatment, step by step
A precise, clearly explained path, so you always know what we are doing and why.
1
Diagnosis
Examination, tooth vitality test, X-ray and — in complex cases or when an abscess is suspected — a 3D CT scan (CBCT) on site.
2
Local anaesthetic
We numb the area: the treatment is carried out pain-free during the session.
3
Cleaning the canals
We remove the infected pulp and shape the canals with dedicated instruments and magnification.
4
Filling the canals
We seal the cleaned canals with gutta-percha to prevent new infections.
5
Rebuilding the tooth
We rebuild the tooth; when it is weakened, we protect it with a crown.
Find your situation
What it does, in your case
The colour tells you whether it's a first treatment, work on an already-treated tooth or an emergency to handle right away.
Root canal retreatment
You have an already root-treated tooth that still hurts or has become re-infected.
- The canals are cleaned again, including any that were missed
- The 3D CT scan helps find them precisely
Abscess and acute pain
You have swelling and severe pain right now: it needs treating soon.
- Stops the infection before it reaches the bone
- Relieves the pain and makes the tooth safe
The protective crown
The tooth is saved but weakened: it often needs protecting with a crown.
- Gives back strength and appearance to the tooth
- Made in our in-house laboratory
Save or replace?
Root canal treatment or removing your tooth?
When the tooth can be saved, keeping it is almost always the better choice. Here is the comparison, so you come to the visit prepared.
Root canal treatment + crown
- Saves the natural tooth and its root
- A conservative, non-surgical approach
- First choice when the tooth can be saved
Extraction + implant
- Replaces the lost tooth with an artificial root
- The way to go when the tooth is no longer savable
- A surgical procedure
If the tooth cannot be saved, a single implant is an excellent solution: we'll tell you honestly after the assessment.
Your concerns, our answers
Let's talk about what's holding you back
- "It hurts terribly" — that's the old reputation: today we work under local anaesthetic, and it is often the treatment that takes the pain away.
- "Better to just take it out" — your natural tooth, when it can be saved, remains the best solution.
- "The tooth is dead anyway" — root-treated doesn't mean throwaway: it keeps its function and, once protected, lasts a long time.
- "It takes endless sessions" — often one is enough; more sessions only if there is an infection to clear.
Is it for you?
An endodontic visit is worthwhile for you if…
If you recognise yourself in one of these situations, it's worth an assessment — the tooth can often be saved.
- You have a severe toothache that gets worse at night.
- A tooth hurts with heat or cold, for a long time.
- You have a swollen cheek or a small lump on the gum.
- A tooth hurts when you bite.
- An already root-treated tooth has started troubling you again.
- You've been told to have a tooth removed and want a second opinion.
Frequently asked questions
Root canal treatment: the most common questions
Does root canal treatment hurt?
The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain during the session. In fact, it is often the root canal treatment itself that takes away the severe toothache that brought you to us. In the following days there may be some sensitivity, easily managed with the medication we recommend.
How many sessions does root canal treatment take?
In simple cases a single session is often enough. When there is an active infection or abscess to clear, more sessions may be needed. After the diagnosis we give you a realistic idea for your case.
How much does it cost to have a root canal?
It depends on the number of canals in the tooth and on the complexity: this is why there is no single price. At the first visit, free and with no obligation, we assess the case and give you a clear quote before going ahead.
Do I need a crown after root canal treatment?
Often yes: a root-treated tooth is more fragile, and a crown protects it from fractures while giving back its strength and appearance. We assess it case by case; if needed, we make it in our in-house laboratory (see the crowns and prosthetics page).
Can a root-treated tooth still hurt?
Usually not, because the infected pulp has been removed. If pain comes back some time later, a root canal retreatment may be needed: it doesn't mean the tooth is lost, only that it needs cleaning again, often with the help of the 3D CT scan (CBCT).
Is it better to have root canal treatment or to remove the tooth and place an implant?
When the tooth can be saved, saving it is the first choice: your natural tooth remains the best solution. An implant is excellent when the tooth can no longer be saved. We decide together after the clinical assessment, with no pressure.
What is root canal retreatment?
It is the treatment of an already root-treated tooth that has become re-infected or was not fully cleaned. The old material is removed from the canals and they are cleaned again. The on-site 3D CT scan (CBCT) is a great help in finding narrow or missed canals.
Is a dental abscess dangerous?
A neglected abscess can spread to the bone and nearby tissues, which is why it needs prompt assessment. Acting early, often with root canal treatment, stops the infection and relieves the pain. If you have swelling and severe pain, call us.
What can I eat after root canal treatment?
For the first few hours, while the anaesthetic wears off, it is best to avoid biting on the treated side. After that you can gradually return to your usual habits, taking some care with very hard foods until the tooth has been rebuilt or protected with a crown.
Free first visit
Let's save your tooth.
In pain or have a tooth to check? Book your first visit, free and with no obligation: together we'll work out whether and how to save it, with the right diagnosis.