Root canal therapy, also known as endodontics, is used to prevent infection from spreading and save a natural tooth from extraction.
The inner part of the tooth, the pulp, may have become infected due to decay, a deep filling or trauma, and needs to be removed to restore your oral health.
However, we will always do our best to save a tooth. Saving teeth will help keep the structure of your mouth and bone intact and will mean you can eat, speak, and chew as you usually would. It will also maintain your natural smile.
When we save your tooth, it gives the neighbouring teeth and gums more protection from bacteria and cavities. Teeth that have over-erupted, drifted, or tilted are more likely to decay over time, which can result in a negative impact on your long-term oral health.
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Root canal treatment involves removing the infected pulp tissues and resealing the tooth to help keep it protected.
Treatment is preferable to having an extraction as it can save your natural tooth and therefore help to preserve your jaw bone. We do all we can to keep your natural teeth in place, as this is far better for your overall oral health.
It is usually more cost-effective to have root canal treatment rather than have a tooth extracted and then replaced with a bridge or dental implant. Though often considered to be a painful procedure, root canal treatment is actually rather similar to having a normal filling as it is performed under local anaesthetic.
The best way to look after your tooth following endodontic treatment is to keep up with a regular brushing and flossing routine. Root filled teeth are still prone to decay, so need to be cared for properly.
If looked after properly, with regular brushing and flossing, your root canal treated tooth should stay trouble-free and provide a long lasting repair. Even though the pulp has been removed, the tooth will stay intact because the canals have been sealed to prevent re-infection. Regular check-ups are also recommended so any problems can be detected early.
Although root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, it is often nowhere near as bad as you are expecting! The procedure should be no more uncomfortable than having a normal filling, and you will likely feel great relief once you are no longer in pain from the infection.
If it is properly cared for, your root treated tooth should function well for many years and cause no issues. In some cases, the treatment may need to be repeated, but this is rare.
The only alternative to endodontic treatment is to have the affected tooth removed, thus eliminating the pain and infection. We try to avoid this, as it is much better for you to keep your natural tooth. An extraction also incurs additional costs relating to filling the gap left in your smile. Occasionally, removing the tooth is inevitable, but we will talk to you about your options in full.
