Root Canal Treatment

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Treatment to save your natural teeth and eliminate pain

Nothing is as good as a natural tooth! Sometimes your natural tooth may need root canal (endodontic) treatment for it to remain a healthy part of your mouth. At Charlton Road Dental, we provide root canal treatment using the most up-to-date techniques and a dental microscope to ensure high quality treatment and a successful outcome.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment 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. The inflammation or infection of the pulp can be due to a variety of reasons, including deep decay, repeated dental procedures or damage. An injury or trauma to the tooth can also cause pulp damage even if there are no visible chips or cracks.

If there is infection or inflammation present, root canal treatment is needed to avoid further pain, prevent an abscess forming and to save your natural tooth. Despite a reputation for being painful, many patients report that having (endodontic) treatment today is as normal as having a filling.

Benefits of root canal treatment

Can save an infected tooth from extraction
Removes a source of infection that could spread to other areas
Prevents further problems that could be caused by losing a tooth
Can relieve toothache
Less expensive than replacing a lost tooth

What does root canal treatment involve?

Root canal treatment usually requires several appointments, depending on which type of tooth is being treated. Between appointments, the tooth will be covered and temporarily restored.

Initially, we take an x-ray to check the root canals and see if there are any other signs of infection in the surrounding bone.

We place a rubber sheet around the tooth to keep it dry. We use local anaesthetic to numb the affected area and remove the infected pulp before flushing the root canals with an anti-bacterial solution.

The canals are shaped with tiny instruments and washed again to remove any debris. We fill the freshly cleaned root canals with a rubber compound to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from entering.

The filled root canal is sealed with a permanent filling. In some cases, we may need to fit a crown to help restore your tooth shape and functionality.

Frequently asked questions

How do I look after my tooth following endodontic treatment?

The best way to look after your tooth following endodontic treatment is to keep up with a regular brushing and flossing routine. Root-filled teeth are still prone to decay, so need to be cared for properly.

Will my tooth stay problem-free after root canal surgery?

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 will stay intact because the canals have been sealed to prevent re-infection. Regular check-ups are also recommended so any problems can be detected early.

Will root canal treatment hurt?

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.

How long will my root-treated tooth last?

If it is properly cared for, your root-treated tooth should function well for many years and cause no issues. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated, but this is rare.

Are there any alternatives to endodontic treatment?

The only alternative to endodontic treatment is to have the affected tooth removed, thus eliminating the pain and infection. We try to avoid this, as you should keep your natural tooth. An extraction also incurs additional costs relating to filling the gap left in your smile. Occasionally, removing the tooth is inevitable, but we will talk to you about your options in full.

What are the symptoms of an infected pulp?

The symptoms of infected pulp tissues within your tooth can include pain, increased sensitivity to temperature, discolouration, a metallic taste, gum tenderness, or swelling. If you notice any of these, please contact us.