Root canal treatment (or endodontics) involves removing infected pulp from the innermost part of the tooth. This prevents the infection from spreading and can help save a tooth that may otherwise have to be extracted. Root canal treatment is a very effective way to save your natural tooth and return it to full function once more.
Book an appointment
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. If the pulp becomes infected, due to decay, trauma, or a deep filling, it 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.
Book an appointment
Root canal treatment usually requires several appointments, depending on the type of tooth being treated. Between appointments, your tooth will be covered and temporarily restored.
Firstly, we take an x-ray to accurately check the root canals of your tooth and make sure there are no signs of infection in the surrounding bone. We plan your treatment, letting you know of each stage.
We place a rubber sheet around your tooth to keep it dry during treatment. We carefully remove the infected pulp, using local anaesthetic to minimise your discomfort. We then flush the root canals with an antibacterial solution to thoroughly clean them.
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.
The treated root canal is sealed with a permanent filling. In some cases, we may need to use a crown to help restore tooth shape and functionality for a natural looking finish.
Book an appointment
The best way to look after your tooth after endodontic treatment is to maintain excellent oral hygiene at home. Continue your consistent routine of brushing and flossing daily. Even though the tooth has been treated, it remains susceptible to decay, so proper care is essential for its long-term health.
If looked after properly, with regular brushing and flossing, your root canal treated tooth should stay trouble-free and provide a long lasting repair. Even though the pulp has been removed, the tooth structure will stay intact because the canals have been sealed to prevent re-infection. We recommend regular check-ups so any problems can be detected and addressed early.
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 the infection in your tooth has been removed.
When properly cared for, your root-treated tooth should function effectively for many years without problems. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated, but this is rare.
The only alternative to endodontic treatment is to have the affected tooth removed, which resolves the pain and infection. We try to avoid this, as it is much better for you to keep your natural tooth. An extraction also incurs additional costs relating to filling the gap left in your smile. Although tooth extraction is sometimes unavoidable, we will always discuss all available options thoroughly with you.
Call us on 0207 224 8558
contact@theivorydentalstudio.co.uk
179 Gloucester Place, London, NW1 6DX
Areas we serve include:
Marylebone, Baker St, NW1 and wider areas.
