Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. The procedures involve removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it and then filling and sealing it. The common causes affecting the pulp are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth or trauma, the term “root canal” comes from cleaning of the canals inside the tooth’s root.
What to expect during a Root Canal Treatment?
- Radiographs – if the dentist suspects you may need a root canal, he will first take radiographs or examine existing radiographs to show where the decay is located.
- Anaesthesia– local anaesthetic is administered to the affected tooth. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal is no more painful than a filling.
- Pulpectomy–an opening is made and the diseased tooth pulp is removed.
- Filling– the roots are filled with gutta percha material and sealed off with dental cement.
Failed Root Canal Treatments: Should a patient have been advised that a previously root treated tooth needs to be redone we would be happy to book a consultation to see if the treatment can be carried out at our practice rather than wait for an appointment at the dental hospital.
For further information on any of our services or to book an appointment, call us on 020 8500 3339.
