When the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerve and blood vessels) becomes inflamed or infected, root canal treatment may be required to relieve pain and tenderness.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a common procedure to remove inflamed pulp tissue from the root canal space or bacteria if the dental pulp has become infected.
Inflamed or infected dental pulp often causes pain and tenderness which may become acute at certain stages. Root canal treatment is an effective and long-lasting solution to treat inflammation or infection, relieve discomfort and save your tooth.
Do I need root canal treatment?
Inflammation or infection of the dental pulp can be caused as a result of tooth decay, damage to the tooth, failing crowns, dislodged fillings or past dental procedures. Signs of this may include:
Sensitivity
Toothache or tooth pain
Pain when biting
Swelling
Tooth darkening
If an infected tooth goes untreated, it can cause significant discomfort and can potentially lead to an abscess or a spread of infection to the jaw and mouth.
Your dentist will advise you if root canal treatment is appropriate for you during your initial consultation.
What happens during root canal treatment?
X-rays and dental imagery are often used to show the extent of the infection.
Your dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be treated. A rubber sheet is placed over the tooth to prevent bacteria from the mouth from re-infecting the tooth. Damaged and decayed parts of the tooth will then be removed to access the root canals. Inflamed and infected tissue along with any bacteria is then removed and the root canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being sealed. A filling or dental crown is then used to restore and strengthen the tooth.
At Thurmaston Dental, Facial & Implants, we work with a Root Canal specialist at the practice, and we receive referrals from across the Midlands for his services.
