If you have a dull ache and intense sensitivity
What is a root canal treatment?
Each tooth has a nerve supply called root canals that are responsible for the sensations to and from a tooth. Occasionally this nerve supply can be irreversibly damaged; this can be as a result of dental decay, a broken tooth, a failing restoration or following dental trauma.
Once damaged, the tooth can become painful when biting or sensitive to temperature changes and some teeth present no obvious signs or symptoms at all! But left untreated, a tooth can become infected and swelling may begin to form.
Relieving the discomfort and saving the tooth
How is a root canal treatment carried out?
Root canal treatment is carried out to save a natural tooth that may otherwise need to be removed. This dental treatment is often perceived to be an unpleasant experience however, we ensure your comfort throughout by using local anaesthetic which removes the sensation to the tooth, similar to having a filling.
During the procedure, the damaged or infected nerve tissues are removed, the root system cleaned out and replaced with a special filling material which helps maintain the remaining tooth structure. Treatment may be completed in a single or possibly multiple appointments.
More complex treatments or re-root canal treatments are carried out by Dr Samantha Hamer, who has a special interest in endodontics (root canal treatment) here at Montagu Dental, to ensure you can be cared for in practice you are familiar with.
Protecting the tooth for the long term
After a root canal treatment
Once the treatment has been completed, the tooth is usually restored with a robust restoration, such as an onlay or crown (particularly for back teeth) to increase the longevity of the tooth. This will usually take place in the weeks following your root canal treatment once the tooth has settled down (acute tenderness is common).
In some cases, a root-filled tooth may darken, particularly if it was as a result of a dental trauma. There are several treatment options to treat this type of discolouration such as tooth whitening.