The surprising news? It needn't hurt at all
We offer the latest techniques and pain relief to help
Root canal treatment may be required even if you haven’t felt any pain. That is because the blood or nerve supply to a tooth has become infected. Occasionally a tooth will darken in colour and there is a risk of inflammation leading to an abscess.
These can be very painful indeed. Fortunately our root canal treatment won’t be. We have a wonderful range of anaesthetic options, which even includes a needle-free injection!
Definitely not the drilling, pain and dread that I grow up with. I recently had veneer treatment and now would not go back to my previous dentist as the wave experience is so much nicer. The facility are beautifully designed with a spa-like feel and a sense of well-being and calm with aromatic candles and cool aqua coloured interiors.
Why is Root Canal Treatment needed?
If root canal treatment is not carried out early enough, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Inside teeth, all the way to the tip of the root, is a soft tissue called pulp which contains nerve and blood vessels. If a tooth is decayed or has had repeated dental treatment or fractures, bacteria can infect the pulp.
When this happens, the infection may spread through the root and lead to an abscess, an inflamed area where pus collects and causes swelling. The symptoms can range from a dull ache to severe pain, and the tooth may be tender when you bite. If root canal treatment is not done at this stage, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Root canal treatment disinfects the pulp and surrounding bone using files and antibacterial solution, then fills and seals the root so the tooth stays healthy. Our treatment is painless and, depending on the complexity of your case, it will take two sessions of between one and two hours.
At your first appointment the infected pulp is removed and any abscesses can be drained. Your root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. We’ll put a temporary filling in and then leave the tooth to settle. If all the infection has cleared on your next visit your tooth is then permanently filled.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and is painless, although you may suffer some sensitivity afterwards, which normally settles down in 12 to 24 hours and can be relieved with painkillers.
After root canal treatment your tooth will be weaker and so we may suggest having a crown fitted to prevent it from splitting, safeguarding the work we’ve done to protect your tooth.
Some factors affecting root canal treatment can only be identified when your tooth is opened up; for instance a tooth may have a hairline crack but until we go in it might not be possible to know the extent of the crack or whether root canal treatment can work.
As with any medical procedure, root canal treatment may occasionally fail and studies have shown a success rate of about 90 per cent. We offer further treatments in the unlikely event of failure which we will talk you through (re-root canal treatment may be appropriate depending on your pre-existing conditions).
