A root canal treatment is a common procedure which is carried out regularly at Blagreaves Dental Practice. While the thought of a root canal can be unappealing- thanks to its scary and painful reputation- today this endodontic treatment is very well-practiced.
Thanks to advances in technology, the increased skill of dental practitioners and a greater appreciation for the comfort and fears of the patient, the process is now much more comfortable and often over much quicker than you might expect!
In fact, the experience of a root canal is much like having a standard filling placed.
A root canal treatment is a successful, safe and long-term way of helping to save a tooth which would otherwise need to be extracted.
Why do I need a root canal?
A root canal is required when an infection has taken hold in the central layer of the tooth. An infection such as this is normally the result of advanced decay, a large filling or damage to the tooth. Apart from complete removal (extraction) of the tooth, there is usually no other alternative to a root canal treatment.
We would always strongly advocate a root canal treatment over a tooth extraction due to the many long-term oral health issues that can arise as a result of a missing tooth.
A tooth infection won’t just go away!
If you do have an infection in your tooth, unfortunately, it’s really not likely to disappear on its own! Please don’t be tempted to ignore the problem because you are worried- it’s far more likely the pain you are experiencing at the moment is much worse than the root canal procedure itself.
Is my tooth infected?
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms below then yes, it could be. If you have any concerns at all please visit us for further investigation. Left untreated, an infection in the dental pulp could turn into a very painful abscess or even result in loss of the tooth completely.
- Increased tooth sensitivity or tooth pain
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum
- A metallic taste coming from the tooth
- The tooth has discoloured
- Could the tooth have been damaged internally- have you recently suffered a severe blow to the face or head?
Dental Pulp
Our teeth comprise several layers. The outer layer (or crown) is made from very hard enamel. A softer dentine layer sits underneath this, encasing a hollow centre containing the soft dental pulp. Here you will find the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue which help your teeth grown and develop in childhood.
This dental pulp runs from the dentine layer right down into the root canals of your tooth connecting it with the gum. When the pulp is infected it starts to die but the bacteria continue travelling into the gum causing inflammation and soreness.
While the dental pulp is vital in childhood, it can be quickly and easily removed in adulthood with no adverse affects. That’s because its only purpose at this point is to alert us to infection or damage.
Root canal filling, the process:
A root canal treatment is normally undertaken over two visits, with a temporary restoration placed in between to help protect the tooth.
The number of appointments required and the length of your treatment will depend on your individual case. Certain teeth (such as those at the back of your mouth) will take longer to treat due to the fact they contain more roots. While the smaller canines have only one root, the molars can have up to four.
- Firstly we will administer an anaesthetic with a very quick and comfortable injection.
- A small hole will be drilled in the top of the tooth and a special file used to fully remove the pulp. Once it is empty, the root canals will then be cleaned and shaped so that each one can be sufficiently filled.
- An x-ray at this point will allow us to see inside the tooth, checking the length of each canal so we know exactly how much material is required to completely fill it.
- Before it is filled, the tooth will be flushed with an anti-bacterial solution to completely kill any germs.
- Following the filling of the root it will be covered with a crown to restore it to full function.
How to care for a tooth following root canal treatment
Some discomfort or swelling in the gum can be common in the days afterwards. Ibuprofen or paracetamol will help with this.
Immediately following treatment be careful not to bite too hard on the tooth as this could cause damage or unnecessary pain.
A root filled tooth has the potential to last for many years. Do be aware though that the tooth will always be slightly weaker than the others and you might also notice that it discolours a little over time. This is very common and is more a cosmetic issue than anything else. It is often possible to restore whiteness to a canal filled tooth with teeth whitening treatments. Please ask us for more information.
