Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment (endodontics) is a dental procedure used to treat infection at the center of a tooth.
Here at Sevenoaks Dental & Implant Centre, all our team are highly trained, and our focus is on preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry aims to keep your mouth healthy and limits the amount of dental treatment you require. The two main causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better you prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance you will have of keeping your teeth for life.
How do I know if I need root canal treatment?
You are unlikely to experience any pain at the early stage of the infection, but the dentist will be able to see it when they take x-rays. If the infection spreads into the pulp, it may then spread through the root system and may eventually lead to an abscess. If you do not have root canal treatment, the infection will spread and in the long term the tooth will need to be extracted.
Is root canal treatment better than an extraction?
You could have the tooth extracted initially but it is always better to try and save it – especially since root canal treatment is a routine treatment that has over a 90% chance of success.
What happens during root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic so should be no more painful than a standard filling. The infected pulp is removed, and any abscess drained, before the root canal is cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling will be placed on the tooth, and it will be left to settle for two weeks. It can then be permanently filled. In the long term it is a good idea to protect the tooth with a crown as root canal treatment can make your tooth brittle.
How do I protect my teeth from needing further root canal treatments?
Keep your teeth decay-free by following a good oral hygiene routine, brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental cleaning aids daily. Eat a healthy diet low in sugar and avoid acidic beverages such as fruit juices and acidic drinks. Attend for regular routine dental treatment and if you play contact sports consider ordering a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth from injury.
Benefits of root canal treatment
Relieves toothache – by removing the infected pulp and nerve you can be pain free.
Saves your tooth – if left untreated the infection will spread and in the long term this would mean that the tooth would need to be extracted.
Improves your oral health – Undergoing root canal treatment is a proactive way to protect your wellbeing and maintain a beautiful smile.
Root Canal Treatment
Sevenoaks dental appointments
By attending for regular dental appointments, as often as your dentist recommends, problems can be identified early and treated quickly, reducing the risk of you needing extensive and expensive dental treatment.
Our dentists will be able to provide you with a range of solutions to address any concerns that you may have. Prior to treatment you will be provided with a full and detailed treatment plan, showing you all the available options and the associated costs. The team at Sevenoaks Dental & Implant Centre will always ensure that you have sufficient information to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
