Root Canal Procedures At Your Epsom Dentist

Allaying fears about this effective tooth saving procedure.

Ask anybody which dental treatment they most fear, and the majority will tell you that it is root canal therapy.

This treatment seems to have seeped into people’s consciousness and even the mention of it can cause some patients to almost panic.

The reality though, is that a root canal procedure should cause no more discomfort than most other invasive procedures and is a very effective way of saving a tooth which might otherwise have been lost.

When do i need a root canal procedure?

A root canal procedure is used when the canals of the teeth, which form part of the roots, become infected. In many cases, this will be accompanied by pain, as the nerves of the tooth are stored in this area along with tiny blood vessels. Unfortunately, once infected, it can’t be ‘cured’ as such and the only option to save the tooth is to clean out and fill the canals with a special dental material called gutta percha.

The procedure

A root canal procedure can range from relatively straightforward to complex depending on how easy (or otherwise) the canals are to access. Needless to say, a local anaesthetic is given first so that the patient doesn’t experience pain. The top of the tooth is then removed to expose the infected canals following which the infected material is removed and the now hollow canals cleaned to ensure that all bacteria is removed. Once this has been done, the canals are then filled with a special filling, and, in the majority of cases, the restored tooth will be completed with the addition of a dental crown to restore function and strength.

It should be noted that the tooth is now ‘dead’ as such as the nerves have been removed. Care care should be taken not to bite down too hard on hard objects as it may lack the full strength of a healthy tooth.

And the pain?

So, what is all the fuss about root canals, you may be asking. Nobody seems to know for sure, but the likelihood is that it originated prior to x-rays being routinely used to check for any abscesses before the procedure commenced. There is little doubt that if an abscess was present, it would be excruciatingly painful. The good news for patients of the Clock Tower Dental Clinic in Epsom is that any abscesses are detected and treated prior to the commencement of this procedure, so you have nothing to worry about at all.

If you have any concerns about any dental treatment, we are always happy to discuss it with you. We can be contacted by calling the practice on 01372 720136 or using the call back facility on the website.