The phrase ‘Root Canal Treatment’ stills seems to instil dread amongst a lot of our clients, so we’d like to put your minds at rest – it really is a straight-forward, relatively pain-free procedure.
Root canal treatment is used to treat infection at the centre of a tooth caused by significant decay, injury or for other reasons where the nerve inside the tooth has died off. The procedure can save a tooth that otherwise might have had to be removed completely.
The main stages of root canal treatment are to first make a small hole in the top of the tooth, into which a narrow instrument is inserted. This removes the nerve of the tooth and allows your dentist to clean the channels that run through its roots. The resulting gaps inside the tooth are then filled with a material called Gutta-Percha to reduce the potential for bacteria building up and causing infections and abscesses. In some cases, a post may be fitted to give extra support. The tooth is then given a filling and in most cases, a crown is added to make sure it is fully sealed.
For the most part, root canal treatment is painless, and is almost always carried out under local anaesthetic, so really, there’s nothing to worry about. It is one of the more complex procedures we carry out so it’s best to be ready for a longer appointment. After the treatment the tooth could feel tender, but this will normally settle within a few days.
As ever, if there’s anything you are unsure about then speak to your dentist or any of our team and they’ll be happy to help you.
Mike
