In dental care during the last 100 years, there have been some fantastic advances in not only keeping someone's teeth looking great, but also in ensuring that as many teeth as possible are kept intact. So, once one of the more destructive things occurs in the mouth, an abscess or dental infection, it can be treated with relative ease thanks to advances in endodontics.
Unfortunately, this is where most dental patients get squeamish, as another word for endodontics is a root canal treatment. And while many people are worried about having a root canal fitted, this procedure offers many advantages.
So, when you need to have a root canal, or any other specialised procedures, come along and see our specialist dentist Devon. At Yealmpton Dental, we can offer advanced general dental practices that can prevent more invasive secondary procedures from needing to be done at a later date.
With that in mind, our specialist dentist Devon is aware that not too many people are overly keen on having a root canal performed. And in this article, we aim to demystify the procedure by answering queries that we have received about it.
Why would I need a root canal?
As hinted at before, the most common reason why our specialist dentist Devon would need to perform a root canal would be due to you having a dental infection or abscess underneath one of your teeth.
However, you may also need to have a root canal performed if there has been any extensive damage to the tooth, causing the pulp to be exposed, such as a deep split or crack.
Does the process cause discomfort?
Having a root canal fitted does not cause discomfort, and in fact, many people state that after having a dental infection, a root canal actually alleviates the discomfort that they had.
However, it's worth noting that with root canals, the tooth and the surrounding area may feel sensitive or bruised for a few days post-treatment, which is entirely normal.
If you notice that the discomfort is worsening, then please contact our team as soon as possible.
How long does it take?
This will depend on the tooth being treated and the extent of the infection.
If you have a severe infection under a molar tooth, it is likely that a root canal will be spread over 2 sessions, with a temporary filling or crown placed on top of the tooth in the interim. On average, a single-rooted tooth having a root canal performed will need a 45-minute appointment.
Will the infection come back?
It is highly unlikely that any infection that was present will come back.
This is because once we have cleaned out the infected debris, there will be a substance called gutta-percha placed into the tooth, which will prevent any bacteria from gaining access to the pulp. Of course, if you suspect that you have a recurring infection, be sure to call our team.
How long does a root canal last?
If you look after the tooth that the root canal is under with twice daily cleans and biannual check-ups with us, a root canal should easily last the rest of your life with no further issues.