root canal therapy

When pain arises from a tooth,
the tooth may have become infected
and require root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is performed when the
nerve or pulp tissue of the tooth has become
infected in order to prevent the formation of
abscess and eventual spreading of the infection
to the surrounding tissue. If an abscess forms
within the bone, the tooth pushes slightly out
of its socket making it very feel tender when
you bite down.

Root canal therapy or endodontics involves removing
the infected nerve or pulp tissue from the roots of a tooth
in order that the tooth can continue to function normally within
the surrounding bone.

Before we carry out root canal treatment, we first anaesthetize the tooth with local anaesthetic to ensure that the treatment is carried out comfortably and is pain free. The dentist places a rubber dam or sheet over the tooth to keep it dry and prevent the bacteria in saliva from further infecting the root being treated.

When the pulp tissue has been removed the inside of the roots are cleaned and shaped with high-tech highly efficient flexible rotary instruments The root canals are then washed with a number of disinfectants and then are dried and carefully filled with inert gutta percha and restored.

The crown or visible part of the tooth within the mouth can then be filled or crowned as appropriate. Crowns are made of porcelain or metal and serve as excellent seals for tooth by preventing the contamination by bacteria or other debris in the mouth.

Normally dental X-rays are taken both before treatment commences to aid diagnosis and on completion of treatment to check its accuracy. At 32Whites we use only digital X-rays thereby considerably reducing exposure time for the patient.

Treatments are normally completed in a single appointment occasionally taking two appointments are rarely more than two. Sometimes you may experience some post-operative pain which normally settles down with pain killers in a few days.

Our dentists are highly experienced and have carried out several thousand root canal treatments. Experience has shown us to expect a long term success rate in excess of 95%. Our practice is open 6 days a week with same day late appointments available.

What are the alternatives to root canal treatment?

Tooth extraction is the only other alternative when you have a tooth with acutely infected pulp. However, it is always better to retain your natural teeth than have them removed.