Root Canal Treatment
What is root canal therapy (Endodontics)?
Root canal therapy is a treatment which is administered to avoid losing a tooth, by extracting any bacteria and infection from the root canal and pulp chamber.
When there is an infection within the tooth, this affects the root canal system, which is located in the centre and root of the tooth. They are filled with tissue called dental pulp, which is in place to provide hydration and nourishment to the tooth – it also works as a reactant to hot and cold.
A deep infection in the root canal can be detrimental, as it affects the blood and nerve supply of the tooth. Root canal therapy can prevent further infection and avoid tooth loss. In fact, 9 out of 10 times, the treated tooth can last for up to 10 years after endodontic treatment!
When are root canals needed?
If you are experiencing a severe level of pain in any of your teeth, you may need root canal therapy.
You are more susceptible to an infection if you have any teeth that have experienced damage such as cracks, tooth decay or even large fillings. If you have any of these issues, this will increase your chances of receiving a root canal.
In the early stages of infection, you may not suffer from any discomfort, although you may notice a change in the colour of your natural tooth, which could mean that the nerve in your tooth is at risk of dying.
If left untreated, this could result in severe pain, and may even lead to tooth loss.
Here are some of the main symptoms to look out for:
- • Extremely sensitive teeth, especially when in contact with hot or cold substances
- • Severe toothache whilst eating or during any other activity that puts pressure on the tooth
- • Tooth discolouration
- • Painful or inflamed gums
- • Small bump on the gum near the infected tooth
If you think you might need a root canal but would like an expert opinion, don’t hesitate to
contact us. We have provided endodontic surgery for various patients over the years and will gladly advise you on whether this dental procedure is right for you.
What is the root canal process?
At Kiln Lane Dental, our dental team will provide you with a root canal therapy in order to restore your tooth to its natural and healthy condition. The cost of this treatment starts from £350.
Before administering the treatment, one of our dentists will perform a thorough assessment of your tooth via X-ray to establish the cause of the infected tooth pulp.
Your mouth will then be numbed using a local anaesthetic to enable a pain-free procedure, and a rubber dam will be fitted to ensure the area around the affected tooth is dry and accessible.
Once the anaesthetic takes effect, your dentist will begin the dental procedure – removing the infected tissue from your tooth.
They do this by using a drill to open your tooth through the
crown, the flat part at the top, to access the soft tissue and the centre of the tooth, removing the infected pulp and tissue from your tooth.
A rubber compound is then used as a temporary replacement for the root canal tissue to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, as on your next visit you will be provided with a custom-fitted crown as a permanent replacement.
How do you recover from root canal treatment?
It’s crucial you take good care of your gums and teeth following endodontic therapy.
As a rule of thumb, we advise patients to avoid chewing or biting hard foods, at least until their treatment is complete. This includes things like nuts, crusty bread, raw vegetables, ice and boiled sweets, to name just a few. Stick to soft foods instead.
At the end of root canal treatment, although it may feel sensitive and sore for a couple of days, your restored tooth should no longer be painful.
In most cases, any moderate discomfort can be relieved using over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. But if tooth pain persists,
contact the team at our dental clinic in St Helens.
How to avoid root canal therapy
Any infection in the tooth can be extremely painful and damaging, which is why you should practice good dental care consistently, in order to avoid problems.
This involves visits to us here at Kiln Lane Dental for regular check-ups, as your dentist may notice something that you may have missed. This can help avoid future damage, as they may discover problems in the early stages, allowing you to avoid infection and endodontic treatments.
You should also try to reduce your sugar intake and maintain regular brushing and flossing to help prevent tooth decay.
Contact Kiln Lane Dental
If you are experiencing any tooth discomfort or believe you could benefit from root canal treatment, please contact us immediately on
01744 25776.
Our team is always on hand to help and would love to hear from you.
You can also get hold of us via email – simply send your queries to
info@kilnlanedental.co.uk and we’ll get back to you with more information about the root canal procedure and the different treatments our general dentists provide.
