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We usually recommend root canal treatment when the pulp of the tooth becomes infected, either through decay or injury. The pulp is the soft bit inside the tooth, and runs right through the root, carrying the nerve supply and nutrients. When it becomes infected, that infection can spread throughout the root canal system of the tooth, and can cause an abscess which is usually extremely painful.
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Abscess with swelling |
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| The toxins produced by the abscess in the infected tooth find their way into the bloodstream and are capable of causing disease within organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, etc. |
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Abscess is a central focus |
If left untreated the infection can lead to damage around the bone of the tooth, and the tooth is likely to have to be removed.
Root canal treatment can be quite lengthy – because the area we are treating is so small, it takes a great deal of skill and patience. This, combined with the need to let the infected tooth settle down before we complete the treatment, means you are likely to need two or three appointments with us.
During the first visit we will need to remove the infected pulp. We numb the tooth and the surrounding area first so that you do not feel any pain, and then use special tiny tools to take the pulp away. We also shape the root canal so it is easier to fill.
The tooth will need to settle down, so we will give it a temporary filling. Sometimes this filling will include medication to help to destroy any germs and prevent further infection.
On your next visit we will examine the tooth to ensure that the infection has cleared properly, and will replace the temporary filling with a permanent one. Sometimes a filling will be all you will need, but often the root canal treatment weakens the tooth and it will need strengthening with an inlay (when more than half of the tooth biting is damaged, we suggest for our patients an inlay. The inlay resembles a filling, in that it fills the space remaining after the decayed portion of the tooth has been removed. The difference is that an inlay (usually of gold or ceramic) is shaped outside the patient's mouth and then cemented into place with dental cement. |
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Gold Inlay |
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Dental plaque causes gum inflammation which can make teeth become loose and eventually make them fall out |
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