Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment can provide a lifeline for a tooth that has suffered a dental infection.

The process involves carefully removing the infection and calming the inflammation at the heart of the tooth, with a view to prolonging its lifespan and preventing the infection from spreading.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (the pulp) is infected through decay or injury. In a restorative process, root canal treatment involves removing the infection within a tooth and filling the space to prevent bacteria from re-entering and causing more intensive damage.

What are the symptoms?

As the symptoms of an infected or injured tooth can often be silent, root canal treatment can also prevent a severe toothache before it has a chance to manifest.

It’s important to attend your routine dentist check-ups, as your dentist will be able to spot lingering symptoms of a dental infection that haven’t yet caused you any pain.

Common symptoms include:

• Tooth sensitivity.
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth.
• An abscess or pus around a tooth.
• A lump or swelling around the tooth or jaw area.

Why might I need root canal treatment?

• It will stop the infection from spreading through the tooth.
• If a root filling is not performed, the infection can spread, and the tooth may need to be taken out.
• To reduce the chance of painful symptoms associated with dental infections.

The root canal process

Step 1: Examination
The need for a root filling will be diagnosed during this appointment, and your dentist will go through everything you need to know prior to treatment. Our dentists will be very happy to address any concerns or questions you might have before treatment goes ahead. Once you’re happy, we’re happy!

Step 2: Treating the tooth
To ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure, the area around the tooth is carefully numbed with local anaesthetic. A small hole is made in the tooth, giving your dentist access to the compromised pulp within. The canals of each root are cleaned and shaped. A rubber-like filling material (gutta-percha) is used to seal the root canal, stopping the entry of bacteria into the tooth.

Step 3: Rebuilding your tooth
Your tooth is then rebuilt. A temporary filling is placed, followed by a custom-made crown 2 weeks later.

Step 4: Aftercare
Sometimes, root fillings need more than one appointment, and it may take a few days after the procedure for the tooth to settle. Simple painkillers can be used to help this.

Sometimes, an X-ray will show that root canal treatment is not possible. If this is the case, your dentist will discuss your options with you and find a solution that will lead to the well-being of your oral health, tooth function, and smile.

Why choose us?

At Lockwood Dental Practice, our focus is on preventive dentistry. Much as we love to see our patients and care for their smiles, ideally, we want to make sure you’re not coming to us often for restorative and tooth-saving procedures such as root canal treatment.

Instead, we will help you aspire to keep advanced restorative procedures to a minimum so you can keep your natural teeth for as many years as possible.

We love the relationships we have built with our patients, and our team are respectful and kind and always looks forward to seeing you. The community feel of the practice is something we will always strive to nurture.

We also understand that the words ‘root canal treatment’ can (for some patients) be daunting to hear. Rest assured, we use dental instruments that facilitate minimally invasive dentistry, and we will only go ahead once we are confident you are comfortable.

For more information regarding this treatment

Call 01489 574 046 Contact