What are the benefits of root canal treatment?
- Remove a source of infection that could spread to other areas
- Eliminate pain and severe toothache
- Keep your natural tooth in place
- Prevent further issues caused by losing a tooth
Eliminate pain and infection in your tooth
If you’re in pain from an infected tooth, we can help. Root canal treatment, or endodontics, involves removing infected pulp from the innermost part of your tooth, stopping it from affecting the rest of your mouth. It can also help save a tooth that may otherwise have to be extracted. We use advanced technology and techniques for effective root canal treatment to return your mouth to full function once more.
Your root canal treatment steps
Step 1
To begin, we take an x-ray to see the root canals of your tooth in full detail and make sure there are no signs of infection in the surrounding bone or teeth. We plan your treatment and let you know how many appointments will be required.
Step 2
We place a rubber sheet around your tooth to keep it dry during treatment. We carefully remove the infected pulp, using local anaesthetic to minimise your discomfort. We then flush the root canals with an antibacterial solution to thoroughly clean them.
Step 3
We shape the root canals using very small and sterile instruments, and wash them again to remove any lasting debris. We use a rubber compound material called gutta-percha to fill the canals and prevent further bacteria from entering.
Step 4
To finish, we seal your tooth with a permanent filling. We may also use a crown to help restore your tooth shape and function, and to provide a beautifully aesthetic result.
When is root canal treatment needed?
The dental pulp within your tooth is made up of soft tissue, including nerves and blood vessels, and extends from the crown to the tips of the root. If the pulp becomes infected, due to decay, trauma, or a deep filling, it needs to be removed to avoid the issue spreading and to save your natural tooth. You may experience symptoms including pain, sensitivity, discolouration, swelling, a metallic taste or gum tenderness.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to look after your tooth following endodontic treatment is to keep up with an excellent daily oral hygiene routine. This means brushing twice a day and flossing or using interdental brushes daily. A treated tooth is no different from your other teeth and it’s still susceptible to decay and gum disease, so proper care is essential to protect the root filling and surrounding tooth structure.
Yes, if the tooth is properly looked after, it should remain trouble-free and provide a long-lasting repair. Once the infected pulp is removed and the canals are thoroughly cleaned and sealed, the filling prevents any re-infection. To ensure everything stays sound, we strongly recommend keeping up with your regular dental check-ups. These appointments allow us to spot any potential problems early.
Although root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, it is often nowhere near as bad as you are expecting! The procedure should be no more uncomfortable than having a normal filling, and you will likely feel great relief once you are no longer in pain from the infection.
With correct care, your root treated tooth should function well for many years – often for the rest of your life! It’s an effective and long-term solution designed to preserve your natural tooth. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated, but this is rare.
The only alternative to endodontic treatment is to have the affected tooth removed, thus eliminating the pain and infection. We try to avoid this, as it is much better for you to keep your natural tooth. An extraction also incurs additional costs relating to filling the gap left in your smile. Occasionally, removing the tooth is inevitable, but we will talk to you about your options in full.
Contact us
We love hearing from you! Whether you need to book an appointment, are a new patient looking for more information, or simply want to ask a question, our friendly team is always happy to help. Get in touch with us today!
Call us on: 01246 232 595
Find us at: 44 Clarence Rd, Chesterfield S40 1LQ