Root canal treatment (or endodontics) involves removing infected pulp from the innermost part of the tooth. This prevents the infection from spreading and can help save a tooth that may otherwise have to be extracted. Root canal treatment is a very effective way to save your natural tooth and return it to full function once more.
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Root canal therapy usually requires several appointments, the number will depend on which type of tooth is being treated. Between appointments, the tooth will be covered and temporarily restored.
Firstly, we take an X-ray to accurately check the root canals of your tooth and make sure there are no signs of infection in the surrounding bone. We plan your treatment, letting you know of each stage.
We place a rubber sheet around your tooth to keep it dry during treatment. We carefully remove the infected pulp, using local anaesthetic to minimise your discomfort. We then flush the root canals with an antibacterial solution to thoroughly clean them.
We use special tiny instruments to shape the root canals before washing them again to remove any lasting debris. We then fill them with a rubber compound material to seal the tooth and prevent any bacteria from entering and causing further infection.
The treated root canal is sealed with a permanent filling. In some cases, we may need to use a crown to help restore tooth shape and functionality for a natural looking finish.
Although root canal therapy has a reputation for being rather painful, it is normally no more uncomfortable than having a normal filling. That’s because we make sure we anaesthetise the tooth in question and we also have plenty of experience in carrying out this tooth saving treatment.
You can maintain a root canal treated tooth with an effective oral hygiene routine. If looked after properly the tooth should stay trouble-free and provide a long lasting repair. The living pulp may have been removed but the tooth will stay intact and it will have been sealed against further infection. Regular check-ups are also necessary so any problems can be picked up early.
Contact usThe 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 quite 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 you should 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.
