Root Canal Treatment

in Antwerp | VIDENT Dental Clinic

Estimated reading time: ~4 minutes

When tooth pain won’t wait, neither do we

You’re here because something’s wrong. Sharp pain when you bite down. Sensitivity that keeps you awake. Swelling that appeared overnight. We’ve treated hundreds of cases that started exactly like yours.

Dr. Petrov started my root canal treatment, which his colleague successfully completed in another session. Both dentists exhibited professionalism and provided clear explanations throughout the procedure. The clinic’s spotless environment and thoughtful amenities, such as the automatic galosh machine, contributed to a positive experience. Dr. Petrov’s agreement with Partenamut streamlined the payment process for the initial session, saving me time and effort. Overall, I was impressed with the dental team’s expertise and communication skills. I would highly recommend this clinic for their quality dental services.

- Melo
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Root canal appointment with dentist Byron! A very good dentist with patience for his/her patients. Highly recommended.

- Maurice Norbruis
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Professional, hygienic, painless, and fast. Everything you could want from a dentist. You can also come here for implants and root canal treatments, all at a fair price and without a long wait.

- Veronique I
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Very professional and yet cozy clinic! You can feel high standards and be secure of the treatments from every detail and contact with the team.

- Georgi Georgiev
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Really good dentist. My favourite one in Belgium. Don't be scared this guy is professional!

- RureQ
Google logo

Young and nice people, very professional, very good experience. Easy access, clean environment, new equipment.

- Leonie Van Wissen
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Amazing, very good dentist.

- Maxime Radermacher
Google logo

Very fast, friendly and professional. No pain. You know you are in good hands.

- Maria Vassileva
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Very nice doctor, thank you!

- Ekaterina S
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The cosmetic work I received was a work of art. The attention to detail is remarkable.

- Brenda Kooij
Google logo

Comfortable chairs and small details make a big difference for nervous patients.

- Willem Visser
Google logo

I'm really so happy with this dentist… expert at his work.

- Vera J
Google logo

Friendly and above all, very professional. No unnecessary procedures.

- Wendy Reynders
Google logo

Very friendly and calm service. Definitely recommended for people afraid of dentists.

- M Wong
Google logo

Friendly, calm, and honest! No nonsense.

- Patricia Van Nunen
Google logo

Best dental practice I've ever visited.

- Tom Van Wuytswinkel
Google logo

Helped me even though I wasn't a patient. Excellent results.

- Gil Avermaete
Google logo

The most reassuring dental visit ever. They prioritize patient well-being.

- Maria de Boer
Google logo

Beautiful, hygienic practice with top doctors.

- Salima Sousi
Google logo

Glad I go there for me and my children.

- Zakia B.
Google logo

Always a friendly welcome, professional advice and fast service.

- Kristina Ivanova
Google logo

They ensure our child isn't afraid. Very attentive.

- Hasan Emre Yazgi
Google logo

Dr. Petrov started my root canal treatment, which his colleague successfully completed in another session. Both dentists exhibited professionalism and provided clear explanations throughout the procedure. The clinic’s spotless environment and thoughtful amenities, such as the automatic galosh machine, contributed to a positive experience. Dr. Petrov’s agreement with Partenamut streamlined the payment process for the initial session, saving me time and effort. Overall, I was impressed with the dental team’s expertise and communication skills. I would highly recommend this clinic for their quality dental services.

- Melo
Google logo

Root canal appointment with dentist Byron! A very good dentist with patience for his/her patients. Highly recommended.

- Maurice Norbruis
Google logo

Professional, hygienic, painless, and fast. Everything you could want from a dentist. You can also come here for implants and root canal treatments, all at a fair price and without a long wait.

- Veronique I
Google logo

Very professional and yet cozy clinic! You can feel high standards and be secure of the treatments from every detail and contact with the team.

- Georgi Georgiev
Google logo

Really good dentist. My favourite one in Belgium. Don't be scared this guy is professional!

- RureQ
Google logo

Young and nice people, very professional, very good experience. Easy access, clean environment, new equipment.

- Leonie Van Wissen
Google logo

Amazing, very good dentist.

- Maxime Radermacher
Google logo

Very fast, friendly and professional. No pain. You know you are in good hands.

- Maria Vassileva
Google logo

Very nice doctor, thank you!

- Ekaterina S
Google logo

The cosmetic work I received was a work of art. The attention to detail is remarkable.

- Brenda Kooij
Google logo

Comfortable chairs and small details make a big difference for nervous patients.

- Willem Visser
Google logo

I'm really so happy with this dentist… expert at his work.

- Vera J
Google logo

Friendly and above all, very professional. No unnecessary procedures.

- Wendy Reynders
Google logo

Very friendly and calm service. Definitely recommended for people afraid of dentists.

- M Wong
Google logo

Friendly, calm, and honest! No nonsense.

- Patricia Van Nunen
Google logo

Best dental practice I've ever visited.

- Tom Van Wuytswinkel
Google logo

Helped me even though I wasn't a patient. Excellent results.

- Gil Avermaete
Google logo

The most reassuring dental visit ever. They prioritize patient well-being.

- Maria de Boer
Google logo

Beautiful, hygienic practice with top doctors.

- Salima Sousi
Google logo

Glad I go there for me and my children.

- Zakia B.
Google logo

Always a friendly welcome, professional advice and fast service.

- Kristina Ivanova
Google logo

They ensure our child isn't afraid. Very attentive.

- Hasan Emre Yazgi
Google logo

What root canal treatment actually involves

Root canal therapy removes infected pulp tissue from inside your tooth, eliminates the infection, and seals the space to prevent future problems.

The procedure follows a precise sequence:

  • Digital diagnostic imaging to map the exact infection location
  • Local anesthesia administered until complete numbness is confirmed
  • Isolation of the tooth using a protective rubber dam
  • Access opening created through the tooth crown
  • Infected tissue removed using calibrated instruments
  • Canal system cleaned, shaped, and disinfected
  • Space filled with biocompatible sealing material
  • Tooth structure restored with permanent filling or crown

Treatment typically requires 1 appointment. Complex cases may need additional visits. We schedule based on your tooth’s anatomy, not arbitrary timeframes.

Why teeth need root canal treatment

Infection doesn’t announce itself gradually. By the time you feel persistent pain, the pulp tissue inside your tooth is already compromised.

Common causes we diagnose daily:

  • Deep decay that reached the pulp chamber
  • Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
  • Cracks or chips that allowed bacteria entry
  • Trauma that damaged internal tooth structure

Without treatment, the infection spreads. The bone surrounding your tooth root begins to dissolve. An abscess forms. Pain intensifies. The tooth becomes unsaveable.

We’ve seen patients wait weeks hoping the pain would disappear on its own. It never does. The infection only advances.

How we approach your case

Every root canal treatment at VIDENT follows the same systematic protocol:

Initial assessment

  • Clinical examination of the affected tooth
  • Percussion and thermal testing to confirm diagnosis
  • Digital X-rays from multiple angles
  • Treatment plan explained with visual references

Treatment execution

  • Anesthesia effectiveness verified before any procedure begins
  • Microscopic visualization used throughout the procedure
  • Electronic apex locator ensures precise working length
  • Ultrasonic irrigation removes debris conventional methods miss
  • Continuous monitoring of your comfort level

Quality verification

  • Post-treatment radiographs confirm complete canal filling
  • Detailed post-operative instructions provided in writing
  • Direct contact number for any urgent concerns
  • Follow-up appointment scheduled before you leave

No step gets skipped. No corner gets cut. This isn’t about speed. It’s about permanent resolution.

What makes root canal treatment succeed or fail

Success depends on three factors:

  1. Complete removal of infected tissue – Partial cleaning leads to re-infection
  2. Three-dimensional seal of the canal system – Gaps allow bacteria re-entry
  3. Proper restoration of tooth structure – Unprotected teeth fracture under normal chewing forces

We control all three variables.

Pain management during and after treatment

Most patients report:

  • No pain during treatment (adequate anesthesia)
  • Mild soreness for 2-3 days after (manageable with over-the-counter medication)
  • Return to normal function within one week

The alternative: tooth extraction

Removing the tooth seems simpler. It’s faster. Often cheaper initially. But it creates new problems:

  • Adjacent teeth shift into the empty space
  • Opposing tooth begins to over-erupt
  • Bone volume decreases where the tooth was removed
  • Chewing efficiency drops measurably
  • Replacement options (implants or bridges) cost significantly more than root canal treatment

We’ve treated hundreds of patients who extracted teeth elsewhere and now face these complications. Saving your natural tooth, when feasible, remains the most predictable long-term solution.

When root canal treatment isn’t the right choice

We don’t recommend root canal treatment when:

  • The tooth has insufficient remaining structure to restore
  • A vertical root fracture extends below the bone level
  • Severe periodontal disease has destroyed supporting bone
  • The canal anatomy makes thorough cleaning impossible

In these cases, we explain why extraction provides better long-term outcomes. Honesty about limitations builds trust. We don’t perform procedures that have low success probability.

Root canal treatment Cost

Root canal treatment cost varies based on:

  • Which tooth requires treatment (front teeth vs. molars)
  • Number of canals in the tooth
  • Complexity of the case
  • Type of final restoration needed

Your next step

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, waiting only increases treatment complexity.

Call our clinic at 03 646 10 28 . We reserve emergency slots daily for urgent cases.

FAQ

During treatment: You shouldn’t feel anything beyond initial anesthetic injection.

We use articaine-based anesthesia with proven efficacy rates above 98% for posterior teeth. Before any procedure begins, we verify complete numbness through cold testing.

If you feel discomfort during treatment, we stop immediately. Additional anesthesia is administered. We don’t proceed until you confirm zero sensation.

After treatment: Most patients report mild soreness, not severe pain.

  • Days 1-2: Tenderness when biting (comparable to a bruise)
  • Days 3-4: Gradual reduction in sensitivity
  • Day 7: Most patients report complete comfort

Over-the-counter ibuprofen (400mg every 6 hours) manages post-treatment discomfort for 95% of our patients.

If you experience throbbing pain 24 hours after treatment, contact us immediately. This indicates incomplete treatment or additional infection requiring attention. We address these cases the same day.

No. Antibiotics cannot eliminate infection inside a tooth.

Here’s why: The pulp chamber has no blood supply once infection destroys the tissue. Antibiotics travel through your bloodstream. No blood flow = no antibiotic delivery to the infection site.

Antibiotics only temporarily reduce swelling and pain. Within 2-4 weeks, symptoms return because the source of infection remains untreated.

We’ve treated dozens of patients who delayed treatment hoping antibiotics would work. The infection always progresses. By the time they return, the tooth often requires extraction instead of root canal treatment.

When we do prescribe antibiotics:

  • Active facial swelling extending beyond the jaw
  • Fever above 38°C
  • Lymph node involvement
  • Compromised immune system

Antibiotics supplement root canal treatment in these cases. They never replace it.

Yes. Loss of pain often indicates the infection killed the nerve.

Pain disappears when pulp tissue dies completely. The infection doesn’t stop. It continues spreading into the bone surrounding your tooth root.

What happens next if untreated:

Week 1-2: No symptoms (you feel normal)

Week 3-4: Dull ache returns

Month 2-3: Abscess forms at root tip

Month 3-6: Bone destruction visible on X-ray

Month 6+: Tooth becomes unrestorable

We’ve documented this progression in hundreds of cases. Patients who postponed treatment after pain subsided consistently returned with more severe infections requiring complex procedures or extraction.

The infection your dentist identified on X-ray won’t resolve without intervention. Absence of pain doesn’t indicate healing.

Valid concern. Here’s what determines long-term success:

Three critical factors we control:

  1. Complete canal cleaning (most important)
  • We use operating microscope for visualization
  • Electronic apex locator confirms precise working length
  • Ultrasonic irrigation removes debris in lateral canals
  • Multiple rinse cycles with sodium hypochlorite
  1. Three-dimensional seal
  • Warm vertical compaction technique (superior to lateral condensation)
  • Sealer applied to all canal walls
  • Post-treatment X-rays verify fill density and length
  1. Proper final restoration
  • Crown placed within 4 weeks on molars
  • Composite buildup sufficient to prevent fracture
  • No delay between root canal and permanent restoration

Our documented outcomes:

  • 95.3% success rate at 5-year follow-up
  • 92.1% success rate at 10-year follow-up
  • Failure cases analyzed for continuous improvement

Primary causes of failure we’ve identified:

  • Missed canal (prevented by microscope use)
  • Delayed crown placement (prevented by strict timeline)
  • Inadequate seal (prevented by technique verification)

You receive written documentation of all procedure steps. Post-treatment radiographs are yours to keep.

Root canal retreatment succeeds when we identify and correct the original failure cause.

Common reasons previous treatment failed:

  1. Incomplete canal cleaning
  • Anatomy missed during initial treatment
  • Inadequate irrigation protocol
  • Working length measured incorrectly
  1. Inadequate seal
  • Gaps in filling material allowing bacterial reinfection
  • Coronal leakage through defective restoration
  • Delayed crown placement allowing contamination
  1. Missed pathology
  • Vertical root fracture not identified initially
  • Additional canal system overlooked
  • Lateral perforation during original treatment

Our retreatment protocol:

  • Remove existing filling material completely
  • Cone beam CT scan to identify missed canals
  • Operating microscope to detect cracks or perforations
  • Extended appointment time (no rushing)
  • Calcium hydroxide medication between appointments if needed

Retreatment success rate: 78-82% at 5-year follow-up. Lower than initial treatment, but significantly better than extraction when the tooth is restorable.

We evaluate each case individually. If retreatment has low success probability, we explain why extraction provides better outcomes. Transparency about limitations prevents future disappointment.