Root Canal treatment, (also known as Endodontics) is required when the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected due to tooth damage or decay caused by an injury to the mouth. The infection can spread through the root canal system and may cause a dental abscess and severe discomfort. If root canal therapy is not performed in time, extraction may be necessary.
Our dentists will perform root canal to stop infection from spreading further and will always try to preserve your tooth. By using advanced equipment and specific techniques, you will receive local an aesthetic and the procedure should feel no different than having an ordinary filling. The aim is to remove all kinds of infection from the root canal. After this, the root will be cleaned and filled in order to prevent any infection. A temporary filling will then be applied and the tooth left to settle down. The dentist will then check the condition of the tooth on another visit and when the infection is cleared, the tooth will be filled permanently. Root canal therapy is a time-consuming process and the treatment usually involves two or more visits to the dentist.
Root canal or Endodontic treatment treats the inner part of your tooth when the pulp is infected or inflamed. The inflammation or infection may be the result of: deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on faulty crowns, chips or cracks in the tooth. Dental trauma to a tooth may lead to pulp damage even though the tooth does not have visible cracks or chips. If pulp inflammation or infection is not treated on time, then this may lead to pain or abscess.
During root canal treatment, the infected or inflamed pulp is removed and then the inside of tooth is cleaned and disinfected carefully. After this, it is filled and sealed by using a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. Afterwards, the tooth will be restored with a filling or crown for added protection. Once the restoration is done, the tooth will function like a natural tooth.
Endodontists are dental specialists who have attained two or more years of specialized training in a dental school. Many root canal specialists use state-of-the-art technology like digital imaging, ultrasonic instrumentation, fiber optics and operating microscopes for treating patients comfortably and predictably.
Root canal therapy is not anymore uncomfortable than a filling. Rather, the procedure doesn’t involve much pain and the latest advances have made it virtually pain-free. Endodontists know how to deal with pain and by using modern techniques; the majority of patients have reported that they have felt comfortable during the treatment.
No. Although X-rays are necessary during the Endodontic treatment, we use an advanced and non-film computerised system known as digital radiography that produces a lower radiation dose compared to the conventional manual X-ray machines.
Some patients suffer from toothache initially that goes away after a course of antibiotics. If the tooth stops hurting, it does not mean that it is not still infected. Root canal is specifically made to disinfect the inner part of the tooth and stop the spread of infection.
Some patients may not experience any kind of pain even with an infected tooth. The root canal infection will usually be found through clinical examination or routine Radiographs. Your tooth might still be severely infected.
Apart from performing root canal therapy, the Endodontist will examine all clinical and radiographic findings thoroughly in order to as certain if a root canal procedure needs to be performed.
Saving your teeth will always be the main aim of your dental professional. An artificial tooth may impact on your eating certain foods and this would not be the case with a natural tooth. It is important to maintain good dental health and hygiene so that you keep your teeth.
Endodontic treatment is an affordable way to treat infected teeth with a damaged pulp and is usually less costly than tooth extraction and the placing of dental bridge or implant. Endodontic treatment has a greater success rate and the teeth treated through root canal procedure should then last for a long time. The placement of a bridge or dental implant will require more time for treatment and may lead to further procedures being necessary for adjacent teeth and supporting tissues.
The time needed will depend on the details of the procedure you need. The estimated time is usually 1-2 hours, although treatment can often be done in a single visit. At times, you may need a second appointment from the endodontist.
once your root canal treatment has been completed, the dentist will assess the treatment report. For this, you needed to protect your tooth, which is typically a full or partial crown. Your dentist will then decide on the type of restoration is needed to protect your tooth.
Want to join Smile 4 U? Simply complete the form below and a member of our team will do the rest
Book Online
020 86407586