Fillings and root canal treatment in Trieste
- “I have a cavity”
- “A tooth hurts even though it was treated”
- “A piece of tooth broke off”
Restorative dentistry treats tooth decay while keeping as much of the natural tooth as possible; when decay reaches the pulp, root canal treatment saves the tooth instead of extracting it.
What it is
Restorative dentistry deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tooth decay: only the decayed tissue is removed and replaced with tooth-coloured materials, using minimally invasive and adhesive techniques.
When decay reaches the pulp, the inner tissue of the tooth, the way to avoid extraction is root canal treatment: the infected pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned, disinfected and sealed, and the tooth is rebuilt so it can work like a healthy one.
Why save the tooth
- A saved tooth is, as a rule, better than an artificial one.
- A well-treated natural tooth is part of us.
- A root-treated tooth, properly restored, can last a long time.
Who it is for, and who it is not for
Who it is for
- People with a cavity, small or deep, found at a visit or a check-up.
- People with a chipped tooth or an old filling to redo.
- People with deep decay or a tooth whose pulp is exposed, with root canal treatment.
When it is not done, or should wait
Not every tooth can be saved: a fracture running down the root, or a tooth without enough support, can make treatment pointless.
This is assessed at the visit, with X-rays, before starting.
Step by step
How it works
- DiagnosisThe examination and, when needed, bitewing X-rays.
- Anaesthesia and isolationLocal anaesthesia; the rubber dam keeps the tooth dry during treatment.
- Removing the decayDecayed tissue is removed, saving as much healthy tooth as possible.
- Root canal, if neededThe canals are cleaned, disinfected and sealed with warm gutta-percha.
- Filling or rebuildA tooth-coloured composite or, for large cavities, a composite inlay.
A saved tooth is, as a rule, better than an artificial one: that is why we start with early diagnosis.
The Kravos & Guadagno practice
Decay usually doesn’t hurt
At first, tooth decay usually has no symptoms. When cold or sweet things hurt, or a tooth feels sensitive, the deeper layers of the tooth are usually already involved, and the risk of more demanding treatment grows.
Regular check-ups, clinical and with bitewing X-rays (not panoramic ones), are the most reliable way to find decay early.
Before the session and in the days after
Before the session
- No special preparation is needed: if you take medicines, including blood thinners, or have reacted to anaesthesia before, tell us at the visit.
In the days after
- Until the anaesthesia wears off, avoid chewing and very hot drinks.
- For a few days the tooth can be a little sensitive, or sore when chewing after a root canal: we prescribe a painkiller if needed.
Risks, explained honestly
After a filling the tooth can stay sensitive for a few days; if the discomfort grows or lasts, it should be checked.
In the days after a root canal the tooth can hurt, especially when chewing, and the area can be a little swollen: it usually improves within a few days, and we prescribe a painkiller if needed.
Teeth with very curved or calcified canals can be difficult to treat, and treatment sometimes fails: retreatment or minor surgery is then considered.
More rarely, during treatment an instrument can break inside the canal or the wall of the root can be perforated: if this happens we discuss it with you, and sometimes retreatment, surgery or extraction is needed.
A root-treated tooth is more fragile: it often needs a strong rebuild, or a crown, so it does not break, and the final restoration should be done as soon as possible.
No treatment can give certainty of success: a failure isn’t always avoidable, even when everything is done correctly.
The alternatives
- Decay that has only just started, without a cavity, can sometimes be stopped with fluoride, hygiene and check-ups; once there is a cavity a filling is needed: postponing only lets it grow.
- Extracting the tooth and replacing it with an implant or a bridge: a saved tooth remains, as a rule, the first choice to try.
When to call
Call the practice if:
- the tooth hurts continuously, or throbs;
- swelling appears on the gum or the cheek;
- after treatment the bite feels high and the discomfort does not pass in a couple of days.
If you find it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, if the swelling spreads up towards the eye or down towards the neck, if you cannot open your mouth, or after a blow to the head, call 112 straight away or go to the emergency department. During opening hours call the practice. Out of hours, for severe pain or swelling, the two partners' mobiles; if they do not answer, the out-of-hours doctor on 116117, and the emergency department if bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of pressure with gauze or if the swelling comes with a high fever. A piece that comes off or a wire that pokes, if there is no severe pain and no swelling, can usually wait until the practice reopens.
Questions
What you ask us
Will I feel pain during root canal treatment?
We always use local anaesthesia, which numbs the tooth for the whole treatment.
How long does a root canal take?
In most cases we can treat the tooth and rebuild it in a single session; it can take longer depending on the complexity of the case.
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An appointment
We can talk it through at your appointment
Leave your name and phone number: the front desk will call you back in the time slot you prefer.
You will be called back by our front desk: Sara, Désirée, Giulia, Giovanni and Nicole.
Would you rather call us?
+39040660040Monday to Thursday 9:00-19:00, Friday 9:00-18:00