Root Canal Treatment – Is the Chance Really Only 50%❓

Many people still think of root canal treatment as a painful procedure with an uncertain outcome. However, modern technology has significantly improved its effectiveness, and with proper anesthesia, the procedure is now completely painless.

Dr. Máté Szabó performing a microscopic root canal treatment

Traditional vs. Microscopic Root Canal Treatment According to the literature, the success rate of conventional root canal treatment averages around 75%. With microscopic techniques, this rate can reach as high as 90–98%. According to a 2025 comparative study (Chang et al.), treatment performed under microscopic guidance was nearly three times more likely to result in successful healing than the conventional procedure.

On the left is the result of a traditional root canal treatment, while on the right is the restoration of the same tooth performed using a microscopic technique

When can a tooth be saved? In the case of an inflamed or dead tooth, root canal treatment is often the only option for saving the natural tooth. However, even today’s technology isn’t a miracle cure. For example, a fractured root, extensive loss of tooth structure, or significant tooth mobility can all make it impossible to save the tooth. Traditionally considered a hopeless case? Not anymore!✨

The success of microscopy is due not only to magnification but also to specialized equipment and precision instruments

Using a microscope with up to 20x magnification, it is possible to precisely explore hidden, narrow canals and remove broken needles and old root fillings. Microscopic root canal treatment can offer a solution even in cases that we would previously have deemed unsalvageable. In addition, thanks to the greater precision of this technique, less tooth structure needs to be removed, thereby reducing the risk of future tooth fracture. What is the solution if root canal treatment doesn't work after all? At the Halász Clinic, we offer a 3-year special warranty on root-canal-treated teeth! We’ll apply half of the cost of the tooth toward the implant that replaces it. If the tooth cannot be saved or if you want a guaranteed immediate and long-term solution, the best option is to replace it with an implant.