Root Canal in Wandsworth
At Wandsworth Town Dental Practice, Root Canal treatment is no more a painful and complicated procedure anymore. We have dedicated and skilled dentists who perform Root Canal very efficiently, without any fuss. You can count on us to perform treatment with complete care, keeping your convenience as our utmost priority. We even have a streamlined process and required equipment for all procedures.
Please note that if you are in dental pain then we offer an emergency dental service too.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root Canal, also known as Endodontics, is a treatment associated with a cracked tooth caused by injury, deep cavity, filling issues, or genetics. Many people around the world trust this treatment sequence to get rid of the infected tooth pulp. It eliminates the infection and protects the tooth from bacterial attack and decontamination.
Why Does a Tooth Need Root Canal Treatment?
Endodontics treatment is needed when the tooth pulp gets infected or injured. As a result, it either dies or becomes inflamed and causes pain. This often happens because of tooth decay, strong blows while performing activities, or cracks in the teeth. To relieve this pain, it is essential for you to get Root Canal treatment as soon as possible.
Tooth decay also leads to bacterial infestation that can infect the wound and spread out to the bone, leading to a dental abscess. It is also followed by swelling of the gums and tooth. If left untreated, it can lead to severe consequences, leaving extraction of the tooth as the final alternative.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
While earlier Root Canal treatment was quite a big deal, it is now much easier and comfortable. Modern techniques and the use of anesthesia make Root Canal a painless treatment to get rid of tooth inflammation. If your tooth feels sensitive despite using anesthesia, your dentist may dress your tooth with a sedative to calm the nerve, making the procedure close to pain-free.
However, you might experience a slight discomfort post Root Canal treatment. 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 even practice good oral hygiene to fasten the healing process. If the pain lasts for more than 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 abscess. Dentists clean out the infected pulp by:
- Numbing the region – Sedating the tooth with anesthesia 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.
- 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 hollow.
- Measurement and shaping of the canal – A small electronic device is used to measure the length of the hollow canal and X-rays are taken. Post this, the canals are shaped and disinfected for the second time to remove the residue.
- 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.
- 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 stay. In such a case, the tooth may require removal of the affected root tip using surgical methods.
How Many Visits Does the Root Canal Treatment Involve?
Ideally, Root Canal treatment gets completed in one visit of up to 90 minutes. However, re-root treatments can take anywhere between one to three visits as it is much more complex than Root Canal.
What are the Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment?
Root Canal is a close to painless treatment that has a few alternatives. You can also opt for tooth extraction if your infected tooth causes severe pain. Getting your tooth pulled is much more painful than having it treated using Root Canal.