Root Canal Treatment: The Facts
Dr Raphael Bellamy, our specialist endodontist, separates fact from fiction with answers to your most common queries about root canal treatment
Q: What is root canal treatment?
A: Root canal treatment, also known as endodontics, is a procedure to treat infection at the centre of a tooth. It involves cleaning, shaping and filling a tooth’s underlying root canal system in order to preserve the tooth.
Q: When is root canal treatment necessary?
A: In cases of advanced tooth decay, bacteria can penetrate through the surface of the tooth and enter the soft tissue at the centre, called the pulp. If this happens, the bacteria will start to kill the pulp, which increases the risk of infection developing inside the root canal. Endodontic treatment is necessary to prevent the spread of infection and preserve the tooth.
Q: What causes infection at the centre of the tooth?
A: Inflammation or infection in the tooth’s pulp can occur for a variety of reasons, including deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth. An injury to a tooth can also cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks.
Q: What are the signs of needing root canal treatment?
A: Some typical signs include pain while chewing or biting, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, swollen or tender gums, discolouration of the tooth, pimples on the gums, or a chipped or cracked tooth. In some cases, however, there may be no symptoms at all.
Q: Is the treatment painful?
A: Many root canal treatments are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anaesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.
Q: What does the treatment involve?
A: During root canal treatment, we firstly administer a local anaesthetic. We then open the tooth to remove the infected pulp, carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal, then fill and seal the space. Finally, your dentist will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
Q: What happens after the procedure?
A: For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications as recommended by your dentist. If pain persists, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Q: How many visits will I need?
A: Most treatments can be completed over the course of one to two appointments, depending on the patient’s individual needs.
To find out more about specialist endodontic treatments at Northumberland Dental Care or to book an appointment, contact us here
