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What is a root canal?
Root canal treatment is required when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or damaged. This primarily occurs if tooth decay is left untreated, cavities can deteriorate allowing the bacteria to reach crown of a tooth is made up of a hard, white enamel layer and a thicker dentine layer. Both of these layers protect the central soft tissues, called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves that sit inside pulp chambers that extend down from the crown of a tooth to the root. The root is the part of the tooth that anchors it into your jawbone.
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the infected or inflamed pulp tissue followed by cleaning, shaping and filling of the resultant space. The pulp can become infected or inflamed in a variety of circumstances such as deep decay (large cavity), extensive restoration that involves the pulp, fractured tooth due to trauma, crack within the tooth communicating with the pulp, excessive tooth wear and severe gum disease.
Symptoms
These are some of the symptoms you may experience as a result of pulp damage:
- Sensitivity/pain to heat or cold lasting for more than just a few seconds.
- Spontaneous pain not related to temperature.
- Tooth discoloration – typically greyness.
- Swelling of the face.
- Tenderness/swelling of gum around a tooth.
- Bad taste in the mouth.
- Loose tooth.
- Tenderness to bite on a tooth.
In some instances, there may be no symptoms at all. However, if pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause severe pain and swelling. Successful root canal treatment can most often be completed in one to two visits and allows:
- Relief of pain and discomfort.
- Prevention of tooth loss and prolongs the life of a tooth.
- Restoration of a tooth that would otherwise not be possible unless root canal treatment was not completed first e.g. post core crown.
- Safe tooth whitening in a very discoloured tooth.
- Retention of roots to maintain bone volume for good support under overdentures or for future implant therapy.
- Precision attachments to be used to enhance denture retention.
At Infinitidental Clinic, our dentists in Wimbledon are highly experienced in providing root canal treatment using the modern techniques and latest modern equipment.
Root canal treatment Wimbledon
Root canal treatments are generally painless. Sometimes patients that have severe infection or those that have been in pain for a long period of time, may exhibit some discomfort during the initial treatment. However, our dentists are experienced in achieving anesthesia in these instances using a variety of aneasthetics and techniques to ensure the procedure can be completed with the minimal of discomfort.
After your root canal treatment, the tooth may be sensitive or tender for a few days to a week due to inflammation of the tissues. This discomfort can be relieved by taking painkillers available over the counter at the pharmacy. However, if the pain persists or is severe or a swelling occurs, you should contact us immediately.
After your root canal treatment, you should avoid chewing or biting on the tooth being treated until it is definitively restored with either a filling or a cusp covered restoration e.g. crown. Excessive pressure may crack or fracture the tooth which is weaker following root canal therapy. Therefore, it’s important to restore the tooth properly, as soon as possible. You should practice good oral hygiene including brushing and flossing at all times and use mouthwash to kill bacteria.
Do you think you may be in need of root canal treatment?
If you require a root canal treatment and wish to book an appointment please contact Infinitidental Clinic. Our dentists are highly experienced in providing root canal treatments.