Root Canal Treatment

If your tooth becomes infected or is badly decayed, you may need a Root Canal to repair and save your tooth.

As part of the procedure, the pulp and nerve of the tooth are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and then it is sealed up.
If you didn’t have this treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. Root Canal treatment is also known as Endodontics.

The infection can be painless in the early stages and in some cases the tooth could darken in colour, which means the nerve of the tooth ‘has died’. More commonly, it causes the tooth to become painful and, in extreme circumstances, it can lead to a swollen face or abscess. Once the infection is present it can’t heal and the only solution to treat it is by having root canal treatment; alternatively, the tooth will have to be removed.

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What is the aim of the Root Canal Treatment?

The aim of the root canal treatment is to remove all infection from the canals. The root is then cleaned, filled and sealed to prevent further infection.

How many appointments would I need?

This may procedure requires two or more appointments. At the first appointment, the dentist will remove the infected pulp, and the infection will be drained. A temporary filling is then placed and the tooth is left to settle for two weeks. At a later appointment, the tooth is permanently filled and then a filling or a crown is placed. In some cases, the root canal treatment can be done in a single appointment only.

What if it hurts at a later date?

After you complete treatment, your restored tooth should no longer be painful, although it may feel sensitive for a few days. It is advisable to take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to relieve any discomfort and return to us if you still have pain or swelling after using painkillers as infection could reoccur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a dental procedure aimed at saving a severely damaged or infected tooth. During the treatment, the dentist removes the infected pulp (nerve) from the tooth’s interior, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and fills them with a biocompatible material. This process helps alleviate pain and prevents further spread of infection, enabling the tooth to be preserved and function normally.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, a cracked tooth, or a traumatic injury. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues, leading to abscess formation, bone loss, and the need for tooth extraction. Root canal therapy saves the tooth from extraction and preserves your natural smile.

Contrary to common misconceptions, root canal treatment is not typically painful. Before starting the procedure, the dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the area, ensuring you feel minimal discomfort during the treatment. In fact, root canal therapy is performed to alleviate the severe pain caused by the infected tooth pulp, not to cause pain.

The duration of a root canal treatment depends on various factors, such as the tooth’s location, complexity of the root canal system, and the extent of infection. In most cases, the procedure can be completed in one to two appointments, with each session lasting about 60 to 90 minutes. However, some complex cases may require additional visits.

After a successful root canal treatment, you may experience some mild discomfort or sensitivity in the treated tooth for a few days. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. You should follow your dentist’s post-treatment instructions, maintain good oral hygiene, and avoid biting on hard foods until the tooth is fully restored with a dental crown or filling.

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