Root canal treatment has a success rate of over 90%, proving it to be a highly effective method of salvaging a diseased tooth.
What is a root canal?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to treat an infection at the centre of a tooth (known as the root canal system).
When does infection occur?
- Tooth decay.
- Leaky fillings.
- Damage to teeth as a result of trauma such as an accident.
How is treatment performed?
Bacteria must be removed to treat the infection in the root canal. This can be done by:
- Removing bacteria from the root canal system.
- Removing the tooth, although extraction is usually as a last resort.
Once the bacteria has been removed, the root canal will be filled and the tooth will be sealed with a crown or a filling. Generally, the inflamed area around the tooth will heal naturally.
You will be given local anaesthetic so that the procedure is not painful – root canals are generally considered no more unpleasant than a filling. You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to prevent infection after the procedure. 90% of the time, a tooth that has undergone a root canal can last up to 10 years.
Saving the natural tooth – advantage
- Effective ability to chew.
- Normal biting force and sensations.
- Authentic natural appearance.
Attending regular check-ups with your dentist and dental hygienist will prevent a severe root canal from occurring. Root canals can be particularly difficult to identify as a patient as the initial symptoms of a root canal (pain when eating hot/cold food/pain when biting/loss of a tooth), can sometimes disappear, making people believe their tooth has healed.
It is important to seek treatment if you feel you have a painful tooth as this could require root canal treatment and the infection will quickly evolve and extraction may become increasingly likely. Do not take antibiotics should you have any at home as this will not treat the root canal infection.
If you would like more information about root canal treatment at Cornerhouse, please do not hesitate to contact us.