What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure which is performed under local anaesthetic, to minimise the pain and discomfort experienced by patients. It is a long term solution to conditions which may be affecting the health and structure of your tooth.
Every tooth is made up of a hard white layer of enamel, a thicker dentine and an innermost layer of pulp. This dental pulp contains the blood vessels and nerves associated with toothache and pain and extends from the crown to the very tip of the root.
Root canal treatment is often the answer to long term toothache and symptoms of pain and inflammation – and involves the removal of the pulp tissues from the tooth, in the event that the tooth gets infected or inflamed. This infection or inflammation can happen for any number of different reasons, with some of the most common symptoms including:
- Toothache and sensitivity (especially to hot and cold food and drink)
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling
- Tenderness around the gum
- A prolonged bad taste in the mouth.
However, it is important to note that not all tooth damage and infection has obvious symptoms, and sometimes there will be no symptoms at all.
What causes tooth infection or inflammation?
There are a wide range of reasons behind tooth damage which leads to a need for root canal treatment, with some of the most common including deep decay, a cracked or fractured tooth due to trauma, excessive wear and tear of the enamel and dentine layer on the tooth which exposes the pulp, or more serious underlying conditions such as gum disease.
If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can lead to pain, swelling and loss of the supporting bone. Our root canal treatment in Essex not only manages and eradicates pain, but it saves teeth that might otherwise have to be removed – restoring your smile to its former glory.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Treatment for root canal involves drilling into the affected tooth to access and remove the decay and dead nerve tissue from within the tooth. By removing the infected material and thoroughly cleaning the inside of the tooth out, the root canal process will alleviate pain and ensure that your tooth is free from bacteria before being refilled with a thermoplastic material which protects the inside and outside of the tooth.
Anaesthetic technology means that root canal treatment is not painful to undergo – and the relief that patients will feel after the treatment makes the long process well worth the time and investment.
Following root canal treatment, the tooth is left essentially ‘pulp-less’. This means it no longer has vital tissues and nerves inside it. However, there are vital tissues surrounding the root, across the gum, periodontal membrane and supporting bone – so any underlying issues or long term issues may still be felt in the surrounding nerves without proper treatment and oral hygiene.
A root canal treated tooth can function completely normally and can be maintained with routine dental care and oral hygiene measures. Your Bluebell Dentistry and Aesthetics dental expert will ensure that following treatment you are provided with all the information you need to care for your root canal treated tooth and to minimise the risk of toothache and other conditions.
Book a dental treatment
Our team of dentists here at Bluebell Dentistry & Aesthetics will treat your teeth like their own, offering industry-leading advice to every new client and answering any questions you may have about the procedure and the aftercare process.
To book a dental treatment or initial consultation, get in touch with the team.