Root canal treatment is used to save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected.
When a tooth’s nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth.
Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. But the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed.
In this month’s blog the team at Teeth & Smiles look at what happens if your dentist refers you for root canal treatment.
The procedure will follow these steps:
Preparation
Your dentist will first take an x-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in a surrounding bone. They will use local anaesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. To keep the area dry and free of saliva during treatment, your dentist will place a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) around the tooth.
Cleaning
The next step involves drilling an access hole into the tooth. The pulp, bacteria, and decayed nerve tissue are then extracted. The area is meticulously cleaned using a series of root canal files.
Sealing
After thoroughly cleaning the tooth, it is sealed. If an infection is present, the dentist may apply medication within the tooth to eliminate the infection. Alternatively, the tooth may be sealed immediately after cleaning. If the root canal procedure cannot be completed in one session, a temporary filling will be placed in the external cavity of the tooth to prevent saliva and food from entering between appointments.
Filling
At the next appointment, to fill the interior of the tooth, a sealer paste, and a rubber compound called gutta percha are placed into the root canal. A filling will be put in to close the access hole created at the beginning of treatment.
Restoration
The final step may involve further restoration of the tooth. It is normally advised that following root canal treatment the tooth is crowned to help strengthen and protect the area, restoring it to full function.
A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function after the tooth has come through the gums. Its only function is sensory — to give the sensation of hot or cold. The absence of a nerve will not affect how your tooth works.
If you need to book root canal treatment, call Teeth & Smiles today on 020 7352 7049 to book a consultation.