What is a Root Canal Treatment ?
Root canal therapy (also known as endodontic treatment) is a dental procedure which is necessary when the inside of a tooth and its surrounding area become deeply infected. This infection can be a result of cracking, decay, or injury. Root canal treatments can save a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed due to bacteria living in the tooth for a prolonged time that has now invaded and damaged the tooth.
The procedure involves the removal of the pulp of the tooth followed by the sealing with a cavity. This process will fully restore the tooth,and should relive all the pain and discomfort.
When are a Root Canal Treatments necessary
Root canal treatments are often necessary when a tooth becomes infected or damaged. However, they may also be recommended in cases where there is extensive decay or a large crack or chip in the tooth. In some cases, a root canal may even be recommended to prevent infection or damage from occurring.
The alternative to a root canal is a tooth extraction. It is always best to save your natural teeth whenever possible. Your natural teeth allow you to bite and chew food effectively and are essential for speaking correctly. They also play an important role in keeping your other teeth in place and maintaining proper alignment of your jaw. In addition, studies have shown that people with fewer natural teeth tend to have more health problems overall than those with all their natural teeth intact. Therefore, it is always best to save your natural teeth whenever possible with procedures such as root canal treatments.
Do I need a Root Canal Treatment ?
Root canals are performed when the nerve tissue inside the tooth becomes infected or irritated. This can be due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Root canals are typically performed by endodontists, which are dentists who specialize in treating the pulp and nerve tissue of teeth.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
There are a few different signs that you may need a root canal. These include:
- Severe toothache pain that radiates to other parts of your head
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Darkening of the tooth
- Swollen and tender gums
- A small bump on the gums near the affected tooth
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist right away so that they can determine whether or not you need a root canal.
Types of a Root Canal Treatment
Various root canal treatment options are available to patients that may serve their immediate needs better than others. These options include:
This is the most common option for treatment amongst most patients as it is the easiest fix for the simplest of cases of extreme decay and infection. In moderate cases of decay and infection where a filling is not suitable, a nonsurgical root canal is the best solution.
This form of root canal therapy is performed when a nonsurgical root canal has been unsuccessful, and the infection or deep decay is still present in the tooth and affects the patient. In an apicoectomy, local anaesthesia is used. It is considered a microsurgical dental procedure where the tip of the tooth’s root is removed and replaced with a filling material to seal the root canal.
These are essentially root canals for young teeth and children and are aimed at saving a child’s tooth as it forms. The infected pulp of the tooth’s chambers is effectively removed for a pulpotomy. This procedure is successful when only a tiny section of the tooth’s pulp and inner nerve section is infected. Then, the pulp is removed from the tooth and performed on teeth that cannot be saved with just a pulpotomy.
Root Canal Treatment
01. How long does a Root Canal take?
The amount of time it takes to perform a root canal fully will depend entirely on the infection and level of pain experienced by the patient. On average, in a simple case of treatment, a root canal can take between 30 and 60 minutes from beginning to end. However, if there is a significant infection or the patient receives treatment on a much larger tooth, the treatment can take longer than an hour. In some extreme cases, treatment can take up to two visits.
02. How Long do Root Canals last?
Root canal treatments can last between 8 to 10 years for most patients as it is usually successful in permanently clearing the infection. However, in rare cases, the condition can come back, and further treatment is needed, or the affected tooth will need to be removed with a dental extraction.
Treatment Process
For many dental procedures, patients will receive x-rays and digital images of the affected tooth to determine the extent of damage and a treatment plan thoroughly.
Our specialised dentists at Frederick Dental Clinic will administer a local anaesthetic to the affected tooth and surrounding gum area. Then, a rubber dam is placed around the tooth to isolate the site before treatment. The procedure will begin with the dentist creating a small access hole to access the pulp to remove the nerves and infected tissue. Once the pulp is safely removed, the area inside the tooth is cleaned, disinfected and shaped. The empty canals from the procedure are then filled with a flexible, durable and advanced dental material called gutta-percha.
After the main procedure is completed, a temporary filling is then placed to seal the tooth, preventing further bacteria from re-entering the process.
Patients
Great experience at Frederick dental. Staff were very nice, short waiting time and a good job with my teeth.
Sabal Al-KhateebSeptember 29, 2019
Advantages of a Root Canal Treatment
Root Canals save your teeth, avoiding extraction and tooth replacement options such as implants, dental bridges and dentures. The benefits of Root Canal Treatment are;
- A root canal is a pain-free procedure that provides instant relief.
- A cost-effective treatment.
- It completely stops the spread of infection.
- Improves the overall oral health of a patient.
- The movement of teeth is prevented.
- A patient’s diseased tooth is preserved.
Book a Consultation Today
Real Life Case Studies
We help you get that smile you always dreamed of
- All
- Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Alternative Treatment Options
Book a consultation today with one of our team, who will be happy to discuss these options with you in-depth, and assess your suitability for composite bonding.
Our Prices
How much does a Root Canal Cost?
Question about Root Canals ?
