The goal is always: to save your own tooth.
Inside every tooth there is a network of nerves and blood vessels — the so-called pulp (often called the "tooth nerve"). When bacteria penetrate this area through deep decay, a crack or an injury, the pulp becomes inflamed. Left untreated, this can lead to severe pain, an abscess (collection of pus) or even tooth loss.
Spontaneous, throbbing toothache — especially at night or with heat
Strong sensitivity — to cold or heat that persists for a long time
Pain when biting — pain when biting or chewing
Swelling of the gums — or a "pimple" on the gums (fistula)
Discoloured tooth — tooth becomes darker than neighbouring teeth
No dental prosthesis is as good as your own tooth. A successfully root-canal-treated tooth can serve you for many more years. The alternative — extraction followed by an implant or bridge — is considerably more complex, expensive and requires surgery. Therefore, attempting to save the tooth is almost always worthwhile.
Step by step — safe and transparent.
Whenever possible, we prefer treatment in a single session — this is more comfortable for you and reduces the risk of recontamination. In complex cases or with severely inflamed teeth, we work in multiple sessions to achieve the best result.
We work with technology that makes the difference.
RECIPROC® System
State-of-the-art single-file system by VDW. The instrument is sterile-packed and used only once — maximum hygiene and precision. The special motion is gentle on tooth substance.
Ultrasonic Activation
The irrigation solutions are activated by ultrasound. This allows even the smallest lateral canals and branches to be reached, which an instrument alone cannot access.
Laser Disinfection
In addition to chemical irrigation, we use laser energy to kill bacteria even in deep dentinal tubules. This significantly increases the success rate of the treatment.
5x Magnification Loupes
Root canals are sometimes thinner than a hair. That is why we always work with 5x magnification — so we see every detail and can work more precisely.
Where appropriate and at your request, we use a rubber dam. This thin rubber sheet completely isolates the treated tooth from the oral cavity. Benefits: no saliva enters the canal (sterility), no irrigation fluid in the mouth, and instruments cannot be swallowed. Many patients find the rubber dam very comfortable.
The RECIPROC® instrument is supplied sterile-packed and disposed of after single use. This eliminates any risk of cross-contamination between patients and guarantees you a brand-new, high-performance instrument every time.
So you know what to expect.
Front teeth
1 root canal
Patient contribution
(additional cost agreement)
Back teeth
2–3 root canals
Patient contribution
(additional cost agreement)
Statutory health insurance covers the basic costs of root canal treatment if the tooth is classified as "worth preserving". The amounts mentioned above refer to the additional costs arising from the use of our modern technology — RECIPROC®, ultrasonic activation, laser disinfection and high-quality materials. This investment is worthwhile: it significantly increases the success rate of your treatment.
• Sterile RECIPROC® single-use instrument
• Ultrasonically activated canal irrigation
• Laser disinfection of the canals
• High-quality filling materials
• Treatment under 5x magnification
• Increased success rate compared to basic insurance coverage
What you should know and look out for.
A slight pressure sensation or sensitivity when biting is normal in the first 2–3 days — the tooth "settles down". In rare cases, temporary swelling may occur. If you have more severe pain, please take a painkiller (e.g. Ibuprofen 400 mg) and call us.
✅ This helps
❌ Avoid this
A root-canal-treated tooth becomes more brittle over time as it is no longer supplied with blood. Therefore, we recommend — especially for back teeth — protecting the tooth with a crown. This significantly extends the life of the tooth. Information about crowns can be found in our Patient info Crowns & Bridges.
We believe in transparency — even about what we cannot promise.
With modern technology, the success rate of root canal treatment is over 90%. Nevertheless, it is important to us to be open with you: in rare cases, treatment may not achieve the desired result despite careful work. Reasons may include:
• Complex canal anatomy — severely curved, branched or calcified canals
• Stubborn bacteria — some germs are particularly resistant
• Pre-damaged tooth — e.g. from old, leaking fillings or cracks
• Delayed restoration — missing crown after treatment
Should inflammation persist or recur after treatment, there are further options: a revision treatment (repeat root canal treatment), an apicoectomy (surgical procedure), or — as a last resort — extraction of the tooth followed by restoration with an implant or bridge. We discuss all options openly with you and find the best solution together.
What our patients most frequently want to know.