If you have a toothache that doesn’t go away it can be a symptom of advanced decay that has reached deep into the pulp of your tooth and has caused permanent and irreversible damage to the nerve.
However, rather than needing to extract the tooth, we can perform a root canal treatment (endodontics) which will stop the pain and protect your tooth from further damage. If this procedure is not carried out you may be at risk of losing the tooth entirely.
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The endodontic procedure involves the removal of infected material from the tooth’s root to protect it from further damage. At Gentle Dental we use state-of-the-art rotary endodontic tools which are faster and more efficient than traditional tools used for this treatment.
After the infected material is completely removed, your dentist will clean and fill the tooth to protect it from further decay. Rest assured that a local anaesthetic is used so you will feel minimal discomfort.
My toothache is finally gone and I don’t have to worry about breaking my tooth. It’s been such a relief.
The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist.
At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.
During a root canal your dentist needs to remove infected material from the root before cleaning and sealing it to prevent further damage. This used to be done using manual hand files. With Rotary endodontics we use an electric instrument with a nickel titanium tip that is five times more flexible than hand files. This makes the process faster, more efficient and more comfortable as the tip of the instrument can enter the curve of the root canal without stretching or damaging it.
Although your tooth will look and feel better after the root canal treatment, we usually recommend restoring the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and help prevent the tooth from cracking or breaking.
Normally, no. Recent advancements in dental techniques ensures that discolouration seldom occurs. However, if you are not satisfied with the appearance of the tooth after the procedure there are several treatments available to achieve a more natural tone and hue.
Our team is trained to the very highest standards so the procedure should be very successful. However, there are rare times when the infection returns and the treatment needs to be repeated. Keeping the area clean through routine brushing is one of the best ways to keep the tooth healthy and free from infection.
We do our very best to make sure our patients are as comfortable as possible during the procedure by using local anesthesia. Sometimes, in cases where the pulp is highly inflamed, your dentist may use a sedative dressing along with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs- but these cases are rare.
Root-treated teeth should be treated just the same as any other tooth. Remember to clean your teeth at least once a day, preferably with a fluoride toothpaste. Cut down on sugary snacks, and keep them only to mealtimes if possible. See your dentist for regular check-ups.
You can have root canal treatment on the National Health Service. However, due to the time it takes and the skill needed, many dentists prefer to carry out this treatment privately. Your dentist will be pleased to give you an estimate.
Gentle Dental & Implant Clinic
14 Church Street
Warrenpoint
Co. Down
BT34 3HN
Telephone
NI: 028 4175 2220
RoI: 048 4175 2220
Email
info@gentledentalclinic.com
