Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain – it eliminates it!
We’re not going to convince anyone that having a root canal treatment is fun – but stay with us, because root canal has a bad reputation that we’d like to try and rescue! Root canal treatment is necessary when the inside of your tooth, below the gum line – knowns as the dental pulp – becomes infected. This usually causes a terrible toothache, and you may think you might need to have the tooth out. But with root canal treatment, we can remove the infection, eliminate the pain and save the tooth. It’s something of a hero procedure!
How we treat root canal
in Dún Laoghaire
At Killane Dental, root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and is usually a straightforward procedure, rather like getting a filling. Once the tooth is completely numbing, the dentist will use a series of tiny instruments to open up the tooth and extract the infected pulp. The remaining space is cleaned and shaped, ready for filling with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha. A temporary filling is usually placed on top. In most cases, you’ll need to return to the dentist to have a permanent restoration, such as a crown, fitted.
Contact us:
Fill out my online form.
FAQs
What exactly is a root canal?
The root canal is the pulp-filled interior of the tooth root. If tooth decay penetrates this far, the dental pulp becomes infected and can cause severe toothache – sometimes even a tooth abscess.
Why would I need root canal treatment?
The causes of root canal infection are varied – deep decay due to cavities or gum disease, cracked fillings or crowns, and damage as a result of trauma, or even teeth grinding.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms indicating a root canal problem often come in two waves. When the pulp becomes infected, early signs that you might need root canal treatment include toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold foods, and pain when eating and drinking. When the infected pulp dies, these symptoms may temporarily subside – but don’t be tempted to put off seeing the dentist! When the infection spreads to the root canal, those early symptoms come back – this time accompanied by pain and swelling to the face and gums or an abscess. The tooth also darkens as the nerve tissue dies.
What does the root canal procedure involve?
Root canal treatment is usually a very routine procedure, rather like getting a filling, though it does take longer. It is carried out under a local anaesthetic, so the area being treated will be completely numb. The dentist will use a series of tiny instruments to open up the tooth and extract the infected pulp. The remaining space is cleaned and shaped, ready for filling with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha. A temporary filling is usually placed on; you’ll need to return at a later date to have a custom crown fitted.
Will I need to take time off work for a root canal?
Though the full healing period will take around a week, you can potentially get back to work as soon as the anaesthetic has worn off – just be careful with what you eat and how you chew. You’ll need to be vigilant about your oral hygiene, too.