Root canal treatment is a contemporary branch of dentistry that offers support and help to all who wish to keep their natural teeth for life
Why is root canal treatment necessary?
Deep within a tooth is soft tissue called the pulp. If the pulp becomes infected it is necessary to remove this and clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth before filling the root. This will prevent infection spreading to the bone and importantly will also ensure that the tooth can be retained, usually indefinitely. Thus, the need for replacement teeth such as implants, dentures or bridges can be avoided.
A root filled tooth is a ‘natural’ implant and usually requires much less ‘after-treatment’ than repairing a space with an implant, a denture, or a bridge. Root fillings save teeth!
Signs that a root filling may be necessary
- Pain with hot or cold food with enduring intensity
- Spontaneous pain for no reason
- A tooth that is sore to bite on
- The presence of a ‘gum boil’
- Facial swelling
- Tooth discolouration
- An ‘area’ found on a radiograph without symptoms
Root canal treatment at Chalfont Dentist
Dr Aman Phull has a keen interest in Endodontics and continues to keep up to date with the most recent advancements in the field. At Chalfont Dentist, we never compromise on the quality of materials we use, ensuring we provide the best possible success rates for your tooth.
We use the most up-to-date technologies to diagnose and treat dental infection and pain, which includes digital radiography and 3D CBCT scanners.
We have a friendly and caring team, to make patients feel welcome and relaxed. We have your best interests at heart so we will offer you advice backed by scientific knowledge to achieve the best outcome for your tooth.
Frequently asked questions
Often root canal treatment is completed in one appointment but sometimes two or three visits may be necessary.
With proper restoration and care your tooth it may last a lifetime after root canal treatment. Proper dental care includes regular brushing and flossing, proper diet and periodic dental check-ups.
With the use of modern techniques, root canal therapy typically involves little or no discomfort. Often there is pain before treatment and endodontic therapy provides relief.
Cleaning the root canals may cause some slight tenderness but usually over-the-counter pain killers alleviate the discomfort. If pain persists or if you experience severe pain, call your dentist.
The expense of an endodontic procedure varies depending on how severe the problem is and the type of tooth Molars with two or three canals are more difficult to treat and the fee will therefore be more. Endodontic treatment is usually more economical in the long term than any other alternative treatment.
The alternative to endodontic treatment is extraction of the tooth. Loss of a tooth could create a functional problem such as chewing or an aesthetic problem. Restoring the lost tooth may involve the provision of a prosthetic replacement such as a denture, bridge or a dental implant the costs of which are variable.
Occasionally a tooth cannot be saved. Endodontic treatment can be performed only if the root canals are accessible and can be adequately cleaned and sealed. The tooth must also have sufficient bone support. We only carry out treatment where we can give a good long term outlook.
The tooth will require a permanent filling and/or crown to cover and protect the tooth for the long term.
Endodontic treatment can have success rate of up to 90% in general if carried out to a good standard allowing the tooth to remain in function. Problems can occur if the tooth develops decay or the restoration on the tooth fails, or on occasions despite good care the tooth may not heal as expected. Further endodontic treatment or surgery may be carried out if appropriate. A tooth that develops a crack can also be a cause of failure and may result in loss of the tooth.
Teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as long as natural teeth, however, in some cases the treatment can fail or symptoms can persist. This may happen shortly after the treatment has been performed or even years following the treatment.
In these cases it may be possible to carry out the treatment again, a procedure called endodontic retreatment.
If you have questions before or after your treatment, please do not hesitate to get in touch.