The root canal treatment procedure can be miraculous for recovering an infected tooth.
In many cases, this procedure avoids the need for removing the tooth altogether.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is performed to remove an infection from a tooth. During the procedure, your dentist will carefully remove the damaged tissue in the centre of your tooth, clean the root canals, seal the tooth, and place a filling or crown to cover the tooth.
Dental infections can occur when an infection attacks the beating heart of a tooth – the pulp. Causes of a dental infection include:
- Untreated dental decay.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Dental trauma.
How root canal treatment will benefit you
Relieves pain
The priority of a root canal is to eradicate the pain associated with symptoms of a dental infection. Intense sensitivity and discomfort will subside once the unsalvageable pulp has been removed from the heart of the tooth.
Rescue your natural tooth
Root canal treatment recovers your tooth from needing to be taken out. Dental infections that are left untreated almost inevitably end in an extraction. The earlier you come in to see us when your symptoms begin, the better chance your dentist has of rescuing your tooth.
Improves your oral
No dental infection = better oral health. Without severe decay present in your mouth, this will prevent a domino effect of this harmful substance from reaching neighbouring teeth in your mouth.
Prevents further infection
An untreated dental infection has great potential to cause the infection to spread to other teeth and even enter the bloodstream (which can be life-threatening). Root canal treatment addresses this risk and protects your tooth.
A healthier-looking smile
When a crown or filling is placed over the top of the tooth, it will look as good as new.
Your root canal treatment journey
Step 1: Examination
A full examination of the tooth is carried out, and X-rays and digital 3D scans are taken to understand the extent of the infection. The most favourable circumstance is that we can carry out root canal treatment, as opposed to a dental extraction to remove the tooth. We will investigate every possible way to save the tooth (including with a root canal) before a tooth extraction is considered.
Step 2: Treating the infection
Local anaesthetic is used to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. The infected pulp can then be removed from the tooth.
Step 3: Cleaning and shaping the root canals
Your dentist will use special equipment and tools to remove the infected pulp. The root canals are then cleaned and shaped so that they can be filled with gutta-percha, a sealant that prevents bacteria from entering the tooth.
Step 4: Tooth restoration
If the damage has been extensive, the tooth may need to be restored with a large filling, onlay, or a crown. These restorative solutions will also nurse the tooth back to its natural aesthetic.
FAQs
What are the signs that you need a root canal?
Some of the symptoms indicating that you need a root canal can be:
- Intense tooth sensitivity.
- A tooth has become grey or dark in shade.
- A bad taste in a localised area of the mouth due to the presence of an abscess and pus).
- Swollen, tender or bumpy gum tissue.
- Persistent toothache.
- Pain when you bite or chew.
The final symptom is the most important to be aware of… Root canal treatment can often be completely symptomless. Your routine dentist check-ups act as a significant preventive effort against symptomless dental problems, allowing your dentist to spot what you may not be able to at home.
We use microscopic glasses and diagnostic apparatus to identify small pockets of decay so that no stone is left unturned during your routine examination. We will also take X-rays to establish the health of your underlying gum and jaw.
How much is root canal treatment in Derby?
Please view our fee page for the cost of root canal treatment at Ashbourne Road Dental.
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