Here at Circ Dental, our dentists are known for their compassionate and gentle approach to carrying out restorative dental treatment.
We fully understand why you might feel a little apprehensive about root canal treatment. Please be reassured that everything will be done to relax you, including involving you in the treatment plan and being fully transparent about what to expect. We will move at a pace that suits you and ask you if you are comfortable at regular intervals throughout the procedure.
Treatment Overview
Purpose: To treat infection at the root of the tooth. How it works: The infection is clear, the root canals are filled and sealed, and a restoration is placed. Type of treatment: Restorative treatment to save your natural tooth.
What is root canal treatment?
When decay becomes severe, a dental infection can develop at the heart of a tooth, affecting the living tissues (known as the ‘dental pulp’). A serious injury to a tooth can also trigger an infection, so it’s important to book an emergency appointment if you have suffered trauma in the mouth area.
The root canal process
Step 1: Examination
A thorough examination will reveal the need for root canal treatment. Your dentist will take an X-ray of your tooth to establish the size and likely cause of the infection.
Step 2: Disinfecting your tooth
We will apply anaesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable and pain-free throughout the disinfecting process. The root canal is accessed via a small hole in the tooth. The infected pulp is removed, the canal is disinfected and finally filled using a rubber-type filling.
Step 3: Permanent restoration
More often than not, a composite filling is used to seal up the hole after root canal treatment. If a back tooth has been treated, we usually recommend a crown to strengthen it and protect it from fracture or further infection.
FAQs
1. What symptoms indicate that I need root canal treatment?
Severe toothache usually indicates a root canal treatment is necessary. However, sometimes, we find an infected tooth could be completely symptomless!
A dental infection can lie low before presenting highly debilitating symptoms, so it’s imperative that you attend your routine check-ups. This will allow your dentist to spot the inconspicuous signs of a dental infection before it begins to spread.
Some typical signs that you might need root canal treatment include:
Tooth discolouration (a tooth can turn a grey or dark shade).
Inflamed gums.
Persistent tooth sensitivity.
Toothache when biting and chewing.
Lump or bump near the affected tooth.
An unpleasant taste in your mouth.
2. Who is most susceptible to a dental infection?
You are particularly prone to needing root canal treatment if you have experienced decay in the past or suffered from trauma.
During your routine appointments, we can assess your risk factors for a dental infection, helping you to employ the right routine and habits to reduce your risk.
