Inflamed or broken tooth? Severe pain?
Root canal treatment can save your tooth
Toothache is a familiar sensation for many people. Although it can vary in intensity and type—dull, throbbing, or sharp—pain is always a warning sign. Persistent, severe toothache often indicates that the tooth is seriously damaged, and if it is not treated in time, it can lead to tooth loss. Losing a tooth is not only an aesthetic issue: it can impair chewing and speech, and in the long run it may also damage the jawbone.
What dental problems can cause severe toothache?
Deep tooth decay
Untreated decay progresses deeper into the tooth. When it reaches the dentin or gets close to the pulp, it can cause intense, sharp pain. If decay is not treated in time, the pulp may become inflamed, which can make root canal treatment necessary.
Pulp inflammation (pulpitis)
The dental pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. When inflammation develops here, the pain can be very strong—often unbearable. In such cases, the inflamed tissue must be removed and the tooth saved with root canal treatment. Without treatment, the tooth can die and the inflammation may spread to the surrounding bone tissue.
Abscess / inflammation around the root tip
When the infection spreads beyond the tooth root, a pus-forming inflammation can develop in the surrounding tissues. This is accompanied by severe pain, swelling, and often fever. If left untreated, the infection can cause serious complications, such as damage to the jawbone.
Cracked or broken tooth
Due to an accident, hard food, or even an old filling, a tooth may crack or break. The crack can reach the pulp, causing pain and inflammation. Without treatment, the tooth may become impossible to save.
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
If gum inflammation is left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis. In this case, the gums recede, bone tissue shrinks, and teeth may start to loosen. This is often accompanied by pain, bleeding gums, and bad breath. Ultimately, teeth can fall out of the weakened gum support.
How can tooth loss be prevented? – Tooth-preserving and restorative treatments at DNP Dental
The good news is that today there are many tooth-preserving treatments that can address the underlying problems causing pain and help save the tooth, such as:
- Dental filling
- Root canal Treatment
- Inlay/onlay restorations
- Periodontal treatments
At DNP Dental, our primary goal in every case is to save your natural tooth. Tooth extraction is considered only as a last resort. For this, we use modern diagnostic tools such as panoramic X-ray and CBCT, which provide an accurate picture of the tooth and the surrounding tissues.
Dental filling
In cases of minor decay, we remove the damaged part and restore the tooth with an aesthetic, tooth-colored filling. This not only stops the decay, but also restores the tooth’s full function and appearance.
Root canal Treatment
If the pulp is inflamed or dead, root canal treatment can save the tooth. We remove the infected tissue, thoroughly clean the root canals, and then seal them with a special material. This helps preserve the tooth for the long term.
Inlay/Onlay restorations
Inlays and onlays are special restorations used when the cavity or damage is too extensive for a conventional filling, but the tooth can still be saved without a crown. They are made with high precision, fit the tooth perfectly, restore stability, and help prevent further damage.
Periodontal treatments
In the case of gum problems, we stop inflammation and strengthen the supporting tissues through targeted cleaning and treatments, helping prevent teeth from loosening.
Endodontics – when the goal is to save the tooth
Endodontics is one of the most important fields of dentistry, focusing on the treatment of the dental pulp and root canals. It plays a key role in ensuring that severely damaged or inflamed teeth are not removed, but can be preserved for many years with the right treatment. In other words, endodontics is the science of saving teeth: successful treatment can not only eliminate pain, but also prevent tooth loss.
At DNP Dental, we entrust this work to a specialist with outstanding knowledge and experience in this area. Dr. Ali Fatemi, an endodontist dentist, graduated in 2022 from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Debrecen, where—due to his excellent performance—he received the “Best Student” award for three semesters.
His specialty is endodontics, i.e., tooth-preserving treatments—particularly root canal treatments. He chose this field because its results are immediately tangible: patients leave the clinic pain-free, relieved, and satisfied.
Dr. Fatemi regularly attends professional training courses and also actively supports the education of dental students. He always treats his patients with patience and understanding, and his goal is to perform every treatment at the highest professional standard, in a calm and trust-filled atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions about Toothache
What can cause severe, unbearable, or persistent toothache?
Severe or persistent toothache is often caused by deep tooth decay, inflammation or necrosis of the dental pulp, a dental abscess, or a cracked or damaged tooth. Problems affecting the tissues surrounding the tooth, including advanced periodontal disease, can also cause significant pain. If the pain does not go away, becomes more intense, or is accompanied by swelling or fever, we recommend arranging a dental examination as soon as possible.
Why does a decayed tooth cause such severe pain?
Decay can reach the dental pulp, where nerves are located. When these become inflamed, very strong—often unbearable—pain can occur.
What does throbbing, nighttime, or persistent toothache mean?
Throbbing pain that starts on its own, keeps you awake at night, or does not settle may be a sign of advanced inflammation of the dental pulp or infection affecting the tissues around the tooth. Another warning sign is pain that continues after exposure to hot or cold. In these cases, we carry out a thorough examination to identify what is causing the pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
What does it mean if a tooth hurts when biting, chewing, or applying pressure?
Pain when biting or chewing can be caused by tooth decay, a loose or damaged filling, a cracked tooth, or inflammation affecting the tissues around the root. A dental abscess can also make a tooth painful or tender when pressure is applied. If the pain persists or becomes worse, we recommend a dental examination to determine the underlying cause.
When should you see a dentist for toothache?
If the pain is severe, throbbing, lasts for several days, or is accompanied by swelling or fever, see a dentist immediately. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
What treatments can prevent losing a tooth?
The most important are tooth-preserving treatments: fillings, root canal treatment, inlay/onlay restorations, and periodontal treatments. At DNP Dental, we focus on these to help keep teeth for as long as possible.
What are the symptoms of pulp inflammation and inflammation around the tooth root?
Inflammation of the dental pulp can cause spontaneous or throbbing pain, as well as lingering sensitivity to hot or cold. If the condition affects the tissues around the root, the tooth may become painful when biting or when pressure is applied, and swelling or a draining sinus tract on the gum may develop. We assess these symptoms together with the clinical findings and, where necessary, X-rays or CBCT imaging.
When is root canal treatment necessary?
Root canal treatment may be needed when the pulp inside the tooth has become irreversibly inflamed or necrotic. This can happen as a result of deep tooth decay, a crack or fracture, trauma, or previous dental treatment. If bacteria enter the root canal system, infection can also spread to the tissues around the root. By treating the root canal system, we aim to eliminate the source of infection and preserve the natural tooth whenever possible.
What happens during root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthesia. We remove the inflamed or necrotic tissue from inside the tooth, then carefully clean, disinfect, and shape the root canals before sealing them with a root canal filling material. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure remains, the tooth is then restored with a filling, an onlay, or a crown.
How many appointments does root canal treatment take, and how long does it last?
Root canal treatment can often be completed in one or two appointments, although more complex cases may require additional visits. The length of each appointment depends on the tooth being treated, the number and anatomy of the root canals, the presence of infection, and the complexity of the procedure. We can give a more accurate estimate after examining the tooth and assessing the individual case.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthesia to minimise discomfort during the procedure. Most patients tolerate the treatment well, and the pain caused by an inflamed tooth is often more troublesome than the treatment itself. Mild tenderness or discomfort when biting may occur for a few days afterwards.
Will the pain go away after a root canal treatment?
Yes. The purpose of root canal treatment is to eliminate inflammation and therefore pain. After treatment, the tooth can remain and function fully.
Is it normal to have pain after root canal treatment or a root canal filling?
Yes, mild tenderness, sensitivity, or discomfort when biting can be normal for a few days after root canal treatment. The tissues surrounding the tooth may remain sensitive while they recover from the previous inflammation and from the procedure itself. If the pain becomes more severe, starts throbbing, does not gradually improve, or swelling develops, we recommend a follow-up examination.
How long can a root canal-treated tooth remain painful?
Mild discomfort after root canal treatment usually improves gradually over the course of a few days. The tooth may remain temporarily sensitive when biting, particularly if significant inflammation was present before treatment. If the pain does not improve, becomes stronger again, or is accompanied by swelling, we recommend having the tooth examined.
Why can a root canal-treated tooth become painful or infected again?
A tooth that has already undergone root canal treatment can sometimes become painful again months or even years later. This may happen if part of the root canal system was difficult to detect or clean, if new decay allows bacteria to enter the tooth, if the restoration becomes damaged, or if the tooth develops a crack. We investigate the cause carefully and, whenever possible, aim to preserve the tooth with root canal retreatment or another appropriate endodontic procedure.
What does a dental abscess or facial swelling associated with toothache mean?
A dental abscess is a localised collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection around a tooth or its root. It can cause severe throbbing pain, tenderness when biting, swelling of the gum or face, and sometimes fever. We recommend seeking dental care promptly, and if the swelling spreads rapidly or you develop difficulty swallowing or breathing, urgent medical attention is required.
What can I do for severe toothache until I can see a dentist?
If you have severe toothache, we recommend visiting a pharmacy and asking the pharmacist to advise you on a suitable over-the-counter product for your individual situation. In the meantime, try to avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods and, if possible, avoid chewing on the painful tooth. These measures may provide temporary relief, but they do not treat the underlying cause, so we recommend arranging a dental examination as soon as possible.
Can toothache spread to the ear, head, or face?
Yes. Tooth-related pain is not always felt only in the affected tooth and can radiate to the jaw, face, ear, or other areas of the head. An infection affecting the tissues around a tooth root or a dental abscess can also cause pain that spreads towards the jaw or ear. Because similar symptoms can have other causes, we carry out a thorough examination to identify what is triggering the pain.
Root canal treatment or tooth extraction: when can a tooth be saved?
At DNP Dental, our priority is to preserve the natural tooth whenever it can be restored safely and predictably for the long term. Root canal treatment can save many inflamed or infected teeth that might otherwise need to be removed, while extraction is recommended when the tooth can no longer be restored reliably or when preserving it would not provide a predictable long-term result. We make this decision after a thorough dental examination and, where necessary, diagnostic imaging, carefully considering the long-term benefits and disadvantages of the available treatment options and choosing the solution that is most appropriate for the individual patient.
Who performs root canal treatments at DNP Dental?
A DNP Dental fogászati rendelőben a gyökérkezeléseket Dr. Ali Fatemi endodontus fogorvos At DNP Dental, root canal treatments are performed by Dr Ali Fatemi, a dentist specialising in endodontics, with a particular focus on root canal treatment and tooth preservation. He regularly takes part in continuing professional education and is also involved in teaching dental students. Our aim is to preserve the affected tooth whenever possible and to provide treatment in a calm, safe, and comfortable environment.
Price List (Treatment / Price)
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Root canal post | 45 000 Ft |
| Root canal filling – Front tooth (1 canal) | 74 000 Ft |
| Root canal filling – Premolar tooth (2 canals) | 80 000 Ft |
| Root canal filling – Molar tooth (3–4 canals) | 95 000 Ft |
| Removal of old root canal filling (per canal) | 22 000 Ft |
| Root canal treatment with medication seal | 15 000 Ft |
| Root canal treatment – medicated dressing front teeth | 41 000 Ft |
| First visit + medicated dressing – premolar | 46 000 Ft |
| First visit + medicated dressing – molar | 55 000 Ft |
| Trepanation of root canal previously treated elsewhere | 19 000 Ft |
Save your teeth while it’s still possible!
Severe toothache is always a sign of a serious problem and should not be postponed. With timely tooth-preserving treatments, most teeth can be saved. At DNP Dental’s Budapest clinic, you are welcomed by experienced doctors, modern technology, and a patient-focused approach.
Book an appointment today and prevent tooth loss!
Cím: 1115 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 90., Első emelet
Telephone +36 70 613 6646
E-mail: rendelo@dnpdental.hu
