Root Canal in Wandsworth

At Wandsworth Town Dental Practice, Root Canal treatment (RCT) is no longer
 a painful and complicated procedure. We have skilled and dedicated dentists who perform the Root Canal treatment efficiently, without any fuss, using state of the art equipment. If you need to save your tooth through undergoing a Root canal treatment, you can count on us to look after you, keeping your comfort and convenience our priority! Our dental professionals are at hand to talk to you about the process first, answering all your questions and alleviating any concerns you may have, before commencing any treatment. Feel free to check our website, give us a call or come in to speak to us.

What is a Root Canal Treatment and why do we need it?

Root Canal treatment is part of a dental field known as Endodontics. Our teeth are made up of a central space known as the pulp which harbours the nerves of the teeth. These nerves run all the way down through the roots of the teeth in canals, and connect to the blood supply around the supporting tissues of the teeth. When the tooth is infected or injured by any means (such as decay or physical injury) the nerves of the tooth can become affected, causing inflammation and pain. An RCT is then required to treat the injured nerves, alleviate pain, eliminate infection, protect the tooth from further bacterial attack and ultimately save the tooth. Also, an infection in the tooth can spread out to the bone, leading to an abscess. If left untreated, it can lead to worse consequences, with removal of the tooth as a final alternative.

Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?

Traditionally, a Root Canal treatment was quite a significant procedure, involving multiple appointments and a lot of discomfort. Modern techniques and equipment coupled with the use of effective anaesthesia make RCT a painless treatment for tooth inflammation. If your tooth feels sensitive despite using anaesthesia, your dentist may need to dress your tooth with a sedative to calm the nerve of the tooth, making the procedure comfortable and pain free.

However, you might experience a slight discomfort post the RCT. This happens when the tooth at the end of the root begins healing. Even though it would feel a bit tender while chewing or biting food for a few days, this feeling would eventually fade away. You can continue to practice good oral hygiene to help the healing process. If the pain lasts beyond a few days, you must consult your dentist immediately.

What Does Root Canal Treatment Involve?

Root Canal treatment involves five steps to remove the dental infection. Dentists clean out the infected tooth pulp by:

1. Numbing the region – Sedating the tooth with anaesthesia is the first step in Root Canal treatment. Numbing agents are dispersed into the gums and tooth roots using injections, post which a rubber dental dam is placed in the mouth to isolate the tooth. This prevents the tooth from getting contaminated by saliva and swallowing of disinfectants during the treatment.
2. Drilling the tooth – The dentist drills through the tooth, creating an opening that goes deep into the tooth roots and pulp chamber. Next, instruments are used to clean out the dead pulp from the root canal and an antiseptic liquid is used to clean and disinfect the tooth.
3. Measurement and shaping of the canal – A small electronic device is used to measure the length of the hollow canals and X-rays are taken. Post this, the canals are shaped and disinfected for the second time to remove the residue.
4. Filling the canal – Gutta-percha, a rubber-like material, is used to fill the canal and then heated. It is then compressed to fit inside the walls of the tooth leaving no space or air in between. Adhesive cement is added to seal the canal and keep bacteria at bay.
5. Placement of restoration – A temporary restoration is placed, if the tooth is severely damaged. It may even require a crown to add strength and stability.

Are there any risks associated with Root Canal Treatment?

In 90% of the cases, there is no risk associated with Root Canal treatment. For the rest, it depends upon the severity of the infection. Sometimes, the tooth canals get blocked, causing the infection to persist. In such a case, the tooth may require removal of the affected root tip using surgical methods. This will need to be done by a specialist.

How Many Visits Does the Root Canal Treatment Involve?

Ideally, Root Canal treatments can be completed in one visit of up to 90 minutes. However, re-root treatments can take anywhere between one to three visits as they are much more complex than a simple RCT. Some RCTs can be more complex than others depending on certain factors, such as which is the tooth to be treated and the shape of the roots.

What are the Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment?

Root Canal is a relatively painless treatment that has few alternatives. You can also opt for tooth extraction if your infected tooth causes severe pain, and if you decide to not save the tooth via an RCT.