Root Canal Treatment

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Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment or endodontic treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay, a crack or trauma. The cause of infection is usually through decay in the tooth, under a filling or in the fracture of a tooth. If the tooth is not treated it could lead to a dental abscess resulting in pain, swelling and infection of the jaw bone. 

The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The pulp chamber is opened up, cleaned out and then filled with an inert (non-active) material to prevent the infection recurring.

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The procedure does not hurt as anaesthetic is used and it should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done. You may also be given antibiotics to control any infection that has gone beyond the tooth, to the bone.

The only alternative to carrying out root canal treatment is to have the tooth removed, although it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.  

Prevention

In order to prevent tooth decay you should practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing or using interdental brushes to clean in places that your toothbrush can’t get to.   

It is also wise to cut down on the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume daily. By reducing the number of times your teeth are attacked by acid, you will be cutting the risk of decay.  

In addition, you should make visits to your dentist every 12 to 24 months for checkups, unless you are advised to visit more frequently. If any decay is found at an early stage, a filling can then be used to prevent the decay spreading to the pulp chamber within the tooth.

For extra care and protection, a dental hygienist may also be recommended. He/she will be able to recommend products and methods on tackling plaque and keeping your teeth in a healthy state.

Procedure

The following is the general steps taken in root canal surgery:

• Your dentist will first open the tooth through the crown (the flat top part) of the tooth to allow access to the pulp chamber.
• Any remaining tooth pulp is then removed.
  Once the pulp has been removed, the remaining root canal will be cleaned and enlarged so that it can easily be filled. The oval shape of the root canals can make it difficult to fill, in which case your dentist will use a series of small files to enlarge the canals and make them a regular shape so the root filling can be placed.
  

This treatment may be carried out in one or several visits. If this is the case, then your dentist may put a small amount of medication in the cleaned canal in between visits to help clear up any remaining bacteria and germs. The tooth will then be sealed with a temporary filling and antibiotics may be given to manage and prevent further infection

• Once the root canal has been cleaned out and shaped, the root filling will be sealed tightly into the root canal.
• The tooth may then be restored with a permanent filling.

In some cases your dentist may suggest placing a crown on the tooth to protect what remains of the tooth structure, due to the brittleness of root-filled teeth. You may also find that your root-filled tooth may darken, particularly if it has died as a result of an impact. Fortunately there are several ways for your dentist to treat this.

Recovery

Once the procedure has taken place, you should try to avoid chewing or biting down, especially on hard foods, until the treatment has been completed.

Your restored tooth should be pain-free, although it may feel sensitive for a few days, in which case over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen can be taken to relieve any discomfort. If any pain or swelling remains for some time after the treatment has been carried out, you should consult your dentist at once.

A restored tooth or crown should last for a long time without need for further treatment, as long as you maintain good oral hygiene, with many crowns able to last an entire lifetime.

* Root canal surgery is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, although it may not be needed if the tooth has clearly died and is not sensitive. Your dentist will usually give you antibiotics to settle the infection for about a week before starting treatment.