Root Canal Treatments
Endodontics is a specialist dental procedure, which involves removing bacteria inside a severely decayed or fractured tooth and cleaning its root canals.
Each tooth contains pulp, a soft tissue inside with nerve and blood vessels that travel all the way down to the root. If a tooth has received many dental treatments over the years, is severely decayed or fractured, then bacteria can enter inside the tooth and infect the soft tissue which then becomes inflamed. This also causes tremendous pain through the nerves.
Root canal treatment has a high success rate and its purpose is to eliminate and prevent disease reoccurring inside the tooth. At The Wimbledon Dentist we will disinfect and thoroughly clean the canals removing the bacteria within the affected tooth.
How long will the treatment take?
Each case is individual and some can be very complex, but generally the treatment may take anywhere between one and two hours and you may have to return for a second visit.
The root canal treatment procedure
The dentist will first provide a local anaesthetic to numb the area before treatment begins. The root canals of the affected tooth are then cleaned, disinfected and sealed to prevent any bacteria from re-entering. The tooth will be sensitive for 12 hours or more after treatment but painkillers can be taken to relieve the pain. After root canal treatment the tooth will naturally become weaker and may fracture easily so it is recommended that the tooth is restored properly.
What if I don't have the treatment?
The alternative is to have the tooth extracted. Once the pulp is destroyed, it can't heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth. Although some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth in the mouth as possible.
Root Canal Treatment complications
Owing to the difficulty in this procedure there are several possible complications, which are listed below.
- Fracture of the shaping file in the root canal
- Perforation of the root by the shaping file
- Failure to identify and therefore fill hidden canals
- Continued pain and swelling even after the treatment is completed
- Future flare up of infection in the tooth even after the tooth has settled
- Fracture of the tooth
