What is root canal therapy?

The ‘living’ part of your tooth is known as the pulp, which consists of sensitive nerves and blood vessels. In the event of infection or inflammation (caused by tooth decay, trauma or deep enamel cracks) the pulp can become very painful, and left untreated, may result in further complications. Root canal therapy is a procedure in which the infected pulp is removed in order to save the tooth and prevent further infection.

When is root canal therapy recommended?

Root Canal therapy is recommended when the affected tooth can be realistically saved in the long term. If the tooth is not severely damaged and the surrounding gum is relatively healthy, root canal therapy is often the best course of treatment.

What is the root canal therapy treatment process?

At Somersmiles Dental, patient care is our top priority. While root canal therapy has a reputation as being an unpleasant procedure, we can ensure it’s easy and comfortable.

01. Treatment consultation

Before your procedure you will have a consultation with your dentist and treatment coordinator to assess what dental work is required and to discuss the various options for ensuring your comfort during the procedure. These options include local anaesthetic, happy gas or even sleep dentistry where a state of twilight sedation is induced. We encourage you to read more about Sleep dentistry here. During your consultation you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions and sign a consent form before proceeding.

02. During your treatment

First and foremost, we take the necessary steps to minimise any discomfort in accordance with your treatment plan, whether that be local anaesthetic, happy gas or sleep dentistry sedation.

Your dentist will then remove the diseased pulp tissue with very small files. Next, your dentist will clean, shape and disinfects the hollow area before filling the tooth with a rubber-like material, using adhesive cement to seal the canal completely.

03. Following your treatment

After your root canal therapy has been completed, we will provide you with a post-procedure care and recovery information sheet as well as a take-home care pack.

In the days following your procedure your tooth may be sore or tender – this is a completely normal side effect of your body’s healing process and usually only lasts a few days. Following this, your tooth should be pain free as the nerve has been removed.

As always, it is important to keep up good oral therapy following your procedure.

04. Follow up treatment

Root canal therapy is highly effective for eliminating pain and saving your natural tooth, however it does inevitably weaken the remaining natural tooth. As such, it is often advisable to have a crown fitted as a follow up procedure. This will help protect the remaining tooth from cracking or splitting.

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