Pulp, Gutta Percha And Root Canal Treatment – Terms & Procedure Explained

Your local Epsom dentist explains this tooth saving procedure

It is a fair bet that if someone is describing something extremely painful to you, the words ‘root canal’ will appear. This particular dental treatment has somehow gained a reputation for being one of the most painful things on Earth.

There are various theories as to why this might be the case, but the suspicion is that it might have been from times when x-rays were not available to detect any abscesses that were present. Drilling into an abscess would be indescribably painful and is the very reason that x-rays are now used to check for these first. If one is present, it can then be treated before a root canal procedure takes place.

We can assure patients of the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre that there is no need to be concerned if you are told that you need this treatment. Whilst it is invasive, it should cause no more discomfort than many other dental procedures.

To help our patients understand this technique better, we have broken it down below. We are also happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have should you need root canal therapy.

Planning the procedure

Root canal infections occur in the roots of the tooth and cannot therefore be seen from a visual inspection only. If you are showing symptoms that might indicate this problem, or you are having painful toothaches that can’t be explained by a visual examination, we will take x-rays so that we can see inside the root canals of your teeth. This enables us to see if a root canal procedure is the appropriate action to take. As mentioned previously, this is also an opportunity to detect the potential presence of an abscess and treat it before we continue.

Local anaesthetic

As you would expect, a procedure like this requires a powerful local anaesthetic to be applied and this will help us to carry out the treatment without it being painful. You might feel sensations that result from drilling etc, but you shouldn’t feel any significant discomfort thanks to these modern anaesthetics. We understand that, despite this information, some patients may still feel anxious and we will be pleased to offer help for nervous patients where it is appropriate.

Accessing the root canals

Once the treatment area is numb, the procedure can start. The first part of this is where the dentist creates access via the top or side of the tooth in order to reach the root canals. This part of the tooth can be restored later on once the internal infection has been treated.

Pulp removal

The ‘pulp’ of a tooth refers to the soft materials that lie inside the root canals, including the nerves of the tooth and some tiny blood vessels. Once this area is infected, there is no real option other than to remove the pulp material, leaving the root canals hollow.

Cleaning the canals

After the infected pulp material has been removed, it is important that our Epsom dentists ensure that the hollow canals are thoroughly cleaned. This includes not only manual removal of any remaining bacteria but also the use of antibacterial irrigation to make sure that nothing remains. Failure to do this could result in reinfection later on.

Filling the canals

Once the root canals have been thoroughly cleaned, the next step is to fill them. This is done using a special type of filling called ‘gutta percha’. This is a thermoplastic material that naturally occurs in the percha tree, usually found in Malaysia. It is heated and then placed into the hollow canals, forming an excellent seal that minimises any risk of re-infection.

Completing the treatment

Once the treatment has reached this stage; in theory, the tooth is repaired. However, the tooth may now be significantly weaker and could fracture with relative ease. To help counter this problem, the final part of the treatment can include adding a crown to the top of the tooth. Not only will this strengthen the tooth but also makes it look and feel more natural. Once this has been done, your root canal treatment is complete.

Post treatment

Although your tooth will now have been restored, there are a few things to keep in mind. Although your newly restored tooth is functional for most purposes, it will not be quite as strong as a healthy natural tooth and some care should be taken when eating. Whilst it should generally cope with most foods, it is best to avoid using that tooth for biting on anything hard. This is partially because it will have no sensation due to the removal of the nerves within it, meaning that you might bite down harder than you realise, potentially causing it to fracture. So please be cautious.

You will also need to keep the tooth clean. You can do this as you would your other teeth, making sure to brush them efficiently twice a day and using floss to clean between them.

Whether you desire a nicer looking smile or have complex dental needs, we are here to help. You can call us to discuss your requirements by contacting the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre on 01372 720136 and our friendly team is on hand to answer your enquiry.