Endodontics - Root Canal Treatment

Relax - there is no need to lose your troubled teeth!

This involves removing the pulp (called the nerve) from within the tooth and then sealing the cavity. The pulp lies in the tooth centre within a thin canal extending from the crown of the tooth through to the tip of the root.

Root canal treatment may be required when the tooth becomes painful, tender to bite on, is particularly sensitive to heat and cold, or may have an obvious large cavity, which extends into the nerve of the tooth, or suddenly becomes dark in colour. Sometimes the pulp of the tooth will die without causing any noticeable pain. Other times the face may become swollen.

 

How does the pulp become diseased?

The most common cause of pulp damage is deep tooth decay which allows bacteria to reach into the pulp. The pulp may then become inflamed or infected.

Products of infection may then spread through the opening at the tip of the root into the surrounding bone -  an abscess could result and this may cause pain and swelling. Not all abscesses cause pain or swelling.

Other causes of pulp damage include:

  • traumatic blows to teeth
  • loose fillings
  • excessive wear of teeth
  • cracked teeth 

 

What is Endodontic treatment?

  1. Access is gained into the tooth, removing decay and allowing for endodontic treatment to be commenced
  2. During endodontic treatment the infected or damaged pulp is removed from the inside (i.e. root canal) of the tooth via the small access hole
  3. The root canals are then cleaned, disinfected and shaped to a from that can be completely sealed
  4. The next stage is to seal (fill) the root canals with a filling material to prevent re-infection

Is there an alternative treatment?

Endodontic treatment is a safe procedure. There is no real substitute for your own tooth. It is far more efficient in chewing and biting than an artificial tooth. Endodontic treatment is undertaken to save your tooth.