Root canal treatment can preserve your natural tooth, avoiding the need for extraction and subsequent complications. It also eliminates a potential source of infection that could spread to other areas of your mouth, and relieves pain and discomfort caused by the infected tooth. Root canal treatment helps prevent dental problems associated with tooth loss, and is a more cost-effective option than replacing a missing tooth.
The dental pulp, located within the tooth, contains nerves and blood vessels. When this tissue becomes infected due to decay, trauma, or a deep filling, root canal treatment may be required. Symptoms of an infected tooth can include pain, sensitivity, discolouration, swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, or tender gums.
Root canal treatment often involves multiple appointments with our skilled dentists, depending on the complexity of the tooth. Between visits, we will protect your tooth with a temporary filling.
We begin by taking an X-ray to assess the tooth and plan your treatment, taking the time to explain each step of the process.
To ensure a clean and dry working environment, we use a rubber dam to isolate the tooth.
Using local anaesthetic for your comfort, we carefully remove the infected pulp and thoroughly clean the root canals with an antibacterial solution.
We use special tiny instruments to shape the root canals before a final cleaning.
We then fill the canals with a rubber-like material to seal the tooth and prevent future infection.
To complete the treatment, we seal the tooth with a permanent filling.
In some cases, a crown may be necessary to restore the tooth's shape and function.
The best way to look after your tooth following endodontic treatment is to keep up with a regular brushing and flossing routine. Root filled teeth are still prone to decay, so need to be cared for properly.
If looked after properly, with regular brushing and flossing, your root canal treated tooth should stay trouble-free and provide a long lasting repair. Even though the pulp has been removed, the tooth will stay intact because the canals have been sealed to prevent re-infection. Regular check-ups are also recommended so any problems can be detected early.
Although root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, it is often nowhere near as bad as you are expecting! The procedure should be no more uncomfortable than having a normal filling, and you will likely feel great relief once you are no longer in pain from the infection.
If it is properly cared for, your root treated tooth should function well for many years and cause no issues. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated, but this is rare.
The only alternative to endodontic treatment is to have the affected tooth removed, thus eliminating the pain and infection. We try to avoid this, as it is much better for you to keep your natural tooth. An extraction also incurs additional costs relating to filling the gap left in your smile. Occasionally, removing the tooth is inevitable, but we will talk to you about your options in full.
The procedure is usually done over two visits. A dressing may be placed on the first visit. The next appointment will be for the tooth to be filled. This can vary according to the complexity of the root canals. Appointments given are usually lengthy, and patients are requested to keep their appointments or to inform the surgery with as much notice as possible if not able to attend.
Root canal treatment does enjoy a high level of success. However, it is impossible to guarantee the success of any medical procedure. Treatment may discolour and weaken the tooth. Your dentist may recommend a crown to protect the tooth. It may be necessary for you to avoid biting too hard until a crown is fitted.