Root Canal It’s Not So Scary

Root Canal Treatment has long been the words that send shivers down a patients spine! But it isn’t anything to be afraid of.

Root canal is a treatment to save your tooth and avoiding from having the tooth extracted!

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root Canal Treatment, also known as Endodontics, is a dental procedure used to treat infection inside a tooth. When bacteria find their way into the centre of the tooth (because of decay, leaking filling, tooth fracture or trauma etc.) an inflammatory reaction occurs which can result in toothache and ultimately an abscess. Sometimes no pain is experienced and the nerve dies quietly resulting in a slowly progressing infection.

Root Canal Treatment is carried out by your dentist, usually over 2 appointments.

To explain in a bit more detail, we need to look at the tooth itself, and what it’s made of.

At any stage Root Canal Treatment can be carried out to prevent the spread of infection and in order to save the tooth. As the cause of the problem is a bacterial infection, Root Canal is the only option to save the tooth. Although many patients request anti-biotics, these do not get rid of the infection.

Bacteria inside your tooth will eventually kill the organic pulp, so it’s important to remove them before that happens.

The Procedure;

Starts with an examination and x-ray, so the dentist can check the shape, length and number of roots. After numbing the tooth with an anaesthetic, a rubber sheet (or dental dam) is placed over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.

The dentist will make a hole in the top of the tooth and then using very small instruments, will clean out the infected area. Once the root is cleaned out, it is traditionally filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha.

Often after a root treatment is completed, the tooth will require a crown (routine-treatments/).

What happens if it’s not treated?

If you need root canal treatment it’s because you have an infected tooth. If you don’t get it attended to, then like all infections, it’s going to spread.

The spreading infection could infect your gum and jawbone, causing pain and a swollen face, and worse case scenario, you might even lose part of your jaw!

An infection might also lead to an abscess, and even sepsis.