You’ve probably heard of a root canal treatment before, as it is one of the most commonly performed dental treatments. Designed to treat an infection in the root of a tooth, root canal treatments are concerned with the interior of the tooth, also commonly referred to as the ‘dental pulp’.
We recommend root canal treatments when the dental pulp has become infected or is irreversibly inflamed (irritated). This is normally due to decay, but can also be caused by injury or trauma, or by a leaky filling. With regular check-ups and examinations here at The Dentist, we might diagnose your need for a root canal treatment before you experience any symptoms.
If you have pain when biting down or chewing, increased sensitivity, or a loose tooth then this might be a sign you’re in need of root canal treatment. In some cases, you might also have an abscess. If you are experiencing any of these, we would encourage you to get in touch with us here as soon as possible.
We understand that root canal treatments have something of a negative reputation and can cause feelings of worry and anxiety in some patients. With advances in technology and techniques, together with our kind, gentle, and understanding team here at the practice, there is no need to be worried about receiving this treatment.
For most patients, a root canal treatment can be carried out over just one appointment – in some cases, it may take two or three. This depends on the level and extent of infection of the tooth at the start of the treatment. First, we’ll use a local anaesthetic to numb the area being treated – this will leave you awake and aware, but you won’t be able to feel any discomfort while we treat you. If would prefer to be sedated while having this treatment, we can arrange that for you.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, we’ll clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth to remove any infected tissue. We’ll then seal the root canals to help prevent further infection. At this point, we may well also fit a crown so that the tooth is returned to full function.
Our team will go through all your after-care needs with you at the time, but occasionally some patients might experience some discomfort in the area once the anaesthetic has worn off. If this is the case, we recommend taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the pain persists, please do get in touch with us.
Back to General Dentistry