Firstly, we take digital X-rays to examine your tooth’s root canals and check there are no signs of infection in the surrounding bone. We plan your treatment in detail and give you the chance to ask us any questions.
We place a protective sheet around your tooth to keep it dry during treatment. Using local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable, we gently remove the infected pulp and flush the canals with an antibacterial solution.
We use special tiny instruments to shape the root canals before washing them again to remove any lasting debris. We then fill them with a rubber compound material to seal the tooth and prevent any bacteria from entering and causing further infection.
We seal your tooth with a permanent filling. We may also fit a custom dental crown to fully restore the natural tooth shape, strength and appearance.
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. The pulp can become infected due to decay, trauma or deep fillings, causing issues for your oral health. If this occurs, the pulp 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.
Maintain an effective daily hygiene routine by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing carefully around the treated tooth. Root filled teeth are still prone to decay, so need to be cared for properly.
Yes, provided you keep up with good oral hygiene and routine check-ups. Because the root canals are thoroughly cleaned and permanently sealed, the risk of reinfection is low, allowing the tooth to function comfortably for years to come.
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.
If it is properly cared for, your root treated tooth should function well for many years and cause no issues. Placing a protective crown on the tooth often significantly increases its lifespan by preventing fractures. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated, but this is rare.
It is best to wait until the local anaesthetic wears off completely so you do not accidentally bite your tongue or cheek. Additionally, try to avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until your final filling or crown is permanently fitted.
The only true alternative is extracting the affected tooth to stop the spread of infection. However, saving your natural tooth is always the best option for your bite, alignment, and overall oral health, as replacing a missing tooth requires more complex treatments like bridges or implants.
