Root Canal Treatment
What is an endodontic treatment?
An endodontic treatment, mostly known as root canal, is a dental procedure used to treat and save a tooth that is infected or has a damaged nerve.
During the procedure, the infected or damaged pulp inside the tooth is removed, the interior is cleaned and disinfected, and then it is sealed. This helps relieve pain, prevent infection, and allows the tooth to be preserved, often with a crown or filling to restore its function and appearance. Root canals are a common dental treatment for addressing severe tooth problems while keeping the natural tooth in place.
What does the procedure involve?
- Diagnosis: When you visit your dentist with tooth pain or discomfort, they will perform an examination and may take X-rays to assess the condition of your tooth. Common signs and indications that may lead to a recommendation for a root canal include severe toothache, heightened sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, swelling, and tenderness in the gums. These assessments help the dentist determine if a root canal is necessary to address issues within the tooth’s pulp or nerve.
- Anaesthesia: Before starting the procedure, the dentist will administer local anaesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth.This local anaesthesia ensures that you won’t experience pain or discomfort during the treatment, making the procedure as comfortable as possible for you.
- Access to the Pulp: Once the area is numb, the dentist will create a small access hole in the tooth’s crown to reach the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Pulp Removal: The dentist will carefully remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the pulp chamber and canals. This step is crucial to prevent the infection from spreading and save the tooth from extraction.
- Cleaning and Shaping: The dentist will then clean the inside of the tooth, including the root canals, using files of varying sizes. They will shape the canals to make it easier to fill them later.
- Irrigation: During the cleaning process, the dentist will use irrigation solutions to flush out any remaining debris and disinfect the canals thoroughly.
- Filling the Canals: After the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and shaped, the dentist will fill the root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. This material seals the canals, preventing any further infection.
- Temporary Filling: In some cases, a temporary filling is placed in the access hole to protect the tooth until the final restoration is completed.
- Tooth Restoration: Once the tooth has healed, a permanent crown or filling shall be placed over the treated tooth to restore its function, appearance and protect it. The type of restoration used may vary depending on the extent of the damage to the original tooth structure.
When do I need root canal?
You may need a root canal treatment when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected, inflamed, or damaged. The most common reasons for needing a root canal include:
- Tooth Decay: When cavities (tooth decay) are left untreated, they can progress deep into the tooth, reaching the pulp. If the decay is extensive and reaches the nerve or pulp tissue, it can cause infection and inflammation.
- Dental Trauma: If you experience a significant impact or injury to your tooth, it can lead to pulp damage. Even if there are no visible cracks or chips on the tooth, the force of the trauma can harm the pulp, leading to infection and pain.
- Deep Dental Fillings: Large and deep fillings, especially those placed close to the pulp, can irritate the nerve and cause inflammation. Over time, this inflammation can progress to infection.
- Repeated Dental Procedures: Teeth that have undergone multiple dental procedures on the same tooth may become more susceptible to pulp damage and infection.
Dental Abscess: An untreated infection inside the tooth can spread to the tip of the root, forming a dental abscess. This can be very painful and requires immediate treatment. - Cracked or Fractured Tooth: A crack or fracture in the tooth can expose the pulp to bacteria, leading to infection and inflammation.
- Prolonged Sensitivity: Persistent sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, even after the stimuli are removed, may indicate a problem with the pulp.
- Severe Toothache: Intense and continuous toothache, especially when biting or applying pressure on the tooth, can be a sign of pulp inflammation or infection.
Call us on 020 7831 1002 if you experience any of the above symptoms or suspect you might need a root canal, and book your examination today by clicking here.
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