Normally, if you bring up root canal treatment in conversation, you’ll be greeted with anxious faces. But at Liverpool Dental Spa, we do our best to assure patients that root canal treatment is nothing to worry about and this effective procedure can actually make the difference between losing and saving a tooth.
What exactly is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a general dental procedure designed to remove decayed tissue and help prevent the spread of infection. It is called upon when a dental infection has reached the living tissue of the tooth, known as the pulp. Once the pulp becomes infected, blood supply to the tooth is reduced and this increases the risk of further infection and the development of painful abscesses. Root canal treatment helps to stem infection and create a stronger, healthier tooth.
The procedure has something of a bad reputation, but we can assure you that you will be absolutely fine. In fact, many of our patients leave the practice and wonder what all the fuss was about. Before you have treatment, your tooth will be numbed completely to minimise discomfort. Once the local anaesthetic has taken effect, your dentist will drill into the tooth and start clearing decayed tissue from the root canals. It’s important to clean the tooth thoroughly to get rid of any potentially harmful bacteria and debris. Once the root canals have been cleared, they are then filled with gutta percha (a type of dental material) and sealed. Sealing the root canals helps to prevent the spread of infection.
Usually, after root canal treatment, it is a good idea to place a new crown to reinforce the tooth and offer even greater protection. we usually place a temporary crown following the procedure and then the permanent crown around two weeks later.
Is there an alternative to root canal treatment?
Usually, root canal treatment is only required when the tooth is already damaged or decayed extensively and the only other option is to extract it.
