Root canal treatment is a crucial procedure to save a severely damaged or infected tooth from extraction. It also removes the source of infection that could spread to other areas and prevents further problems that could be caused by losing a tooth. Signs of pulp damage may include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, tenderness of the overlying gums, or a bad taste in the mouth. On the other hand, there may be no symptoms at all. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can eventually cause pain, swelling, and loss of the supporting bone.
After root canal treatment the tooth is pulp-less, so it has no vital tissues within. However, there are vital tissues surrounding the root, such as the gum, periodontal membrane and supporting bone. A root canal-treated tooth can function normally and be maintained with routine dental care and oral hygiene measures.
Root canal treatment usually requires several appointments, depending on the type of tooth being treated. Between appointments, your 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 most cases, we may need to use a crown to help restore tooth shape and functionality for a natural looking finish.
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.
The pulp in your tooth can be infected or inflamed due to deep decay or an extensive restoration that involves the pulp, a cracked or fractured tooth due to trauma, excessive wear of enamel and dentine exposing the pulp, and sometimes as a result of severe gum disease.
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.
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, if possible. 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.
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