Endodontics Kells

Endodontic or root canal treatment involves the dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist dentist) opening up the tooth at the crown, removing the infected pulp, cleaning and shaping the canals and filling the canal system. This filing is a rubber-like material known as gutta percha which creates a seal in the canal to avoid re-infection. The crown of the tooth is then filled using tooth-coloured filling material. A post and core may be needed to support the root canal treated tooth, so a porcelain crown can be placed over it if needed.

No, you should not feel any pain during the procedure. We will numb your tooth and surrounding area using local anaesthetic. You will feel that there is treatment being conducted but you will not feel any discomfort.

Depending on the complexity of the case, your root canal treatment may be conducted in a single visit or over multiple visits. We will be able to discuss this with you during your first visit. More than two visits will rarely be necessary.

After your root filling is complete, the top part of your tooth will be filled. In some cases, this filling will be sufficient. In many cases, however, a restorative crown may be required. You will be advised which option is suitable for you. If a post and core is needed, this is placed before the restorative crown is placed.

Root canal treatment is usually very successful. However, very occasionally a tooth may not settle down after a root filling and infection may persist. In such a case it is sometimes necessary to remove this area of infection by surgery (apicectomy). This rarely happens and the tooth can generally be saved.

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, or swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.

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 prescribed by your dentist.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your dentist.