Q. What is a root canal treatment?

A root canal treatment is a procedure to save a tooth, when its nerve has become badly inflamed or infected. During the procedure, the infected nerve tissue is cleaned out and the inside of the tooth is disinfected. The root canal is then shaped and a permanent root filling is placed inside the roots. This not only stops any pain, but also prevents further damage to your tooth or the surrounding bone.

Q: Why is the root canal needed?

Infection and inflammation of the nerve in the tooth can occur because of decay that spread throughout the tooth, a crack or chip, or multiple dental procedures on that tooth.

Q: What if the infection is left untreated?

If left untreated, the tooth will cause severe tooth ache, and eventually lead to an abscess and large swelling of your face. It will ultimately cause you to lose your tooth, but worse still severe and spreading tooth infections can result in hospitalisation. This is why it is extremely important not to ignore the problem and to get the treatment as soon as possible.

Q: Is it painful to have a root canal?

There is a common misconception that root canal treatment is painful and I’m sure you’ve heard many horror stories. But I can assure you that it is no more uncomfortable than having a normal filling. Once I have fully numbed the area with local anaesthetic, you will have a pain free experience. In fact many of my patients have fallen asleep during the procedure, whilst others prefer to watch Netflix on the TV we have placed above the dental chair.

Q: Is a root canal better than tooth extraction?

One alternative to a root canal is to extract the infected tooth. But I always encourage patients to save the natural teeth whenever possible. While tooth replacement is available with bridges and implants, nothing is as good as your natural tooth. A root canal treatment allows you to keep your original tooth and avoid extraction. Additionally, a root canal is cheaper compared to the cost of extraction followed by an implant or bridge to replace the tooth.

Q: How long does the treatment take?

For back teeth, the procedure is almost always done over two sessions, lasting approximately 1 hour each. For front teeth, the treatment can sometimes be carried out in one visit, depending on the extent of the decay and infection. After the first visit you will pain free.

Q: Does a root canal weaken my tooth?

During root canal treatment, the inner core of the tooth needs to be removed in order to carry out the treatment successfully. This unfortunately significantly weakens the tooth and can cause the tooth to fracture in the future. Therefore I nearly always recommend that a crown or onlay is placed on the tooth to strengthen and support it, and prevent it from breaking.

Q: What should I expect after a root canal treatment?

You will be numb for 3-4 hours after the procedure. When the numbness wears off, most people find that the area is a little tender and sore for a few days, while the healing process happens. This can be managed with over the counter pain medication. As the nerves in the tooth have now been removed, you will no longer have the severe tooth ache, which will come as a huge relief!

If you have any further questions about root canals, then please free to contact our team at Marsh Lane Dental on 02089542602. It is best to book in with Dr Rima for a consultation visit!