How we save internally infected teeth using root canal treatment

If we take really good care of our teeth, there is a good chance that we may never need any major dental surgery other than perhaps just a small filling or two in areas that have proved more tricky to keep clean.

Even the most conscientious of us can still suffer from major dental problems though, perhaps caused by facial trauma from an accident for example.

However damage to a Tooth occurs, there is always a risk that not only can it break or start to decay, but the roots of the tooth can become infected as well. When this happens, there are two main options available; a root canal procedure or an extraction of the infected tooth.

Although some people might think it better to have the tooth extracted rather than undergo a root canal procedure due to historical rumours of significant pain, the fact is that a) a root canal procedure is nothing like as bad as you think it might be and b) extracting a tooth should be a last resort as it can affect other teeth as well, in particular, increasing the risk of the rest of your teeth becoming crooked.

How does a root canal infection occur?

When tooth enamel becomes damaged to the extent that the underlying dentin layer is exposed, bacteria can enter the tooth. In most cases, this will then cause the tooth to start to decay and this will either be detected during a routine check up at your popular Canterbury dentists or you may start to notice some discomfort in the form of a toothache starting to occur. In the latter case, you should never ignore this and should call Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic for an appointment as soon as you can. At this stage, it is more than likely that a straightforward filling will be all that is necessary to restore the tooth.

If a tooth is not treated at this relatively early stage, there is a good chance that the bacteria will find its way into the root canals of the tooth. In this part of the tooth lies the soft pulp material which contains, among other things, tiny blood vessels and also the nerves of the tooth. In some instances, the bacteria may cause abscesses to form which can be extremely painful so it is always best to seek treatment as soon as you possibly can. In this instance, a root canal treatment is likely to be your best option.

Should I be scared of a root canal procedure?

The reality is that this treatment can be time consuming and is a sophisticated procedure. However, if you are basing your fears on its reputation, we can help to assure you that things are not as bad as they seem. While it is an invasive procedure and some discomfort might be felt, as with any invasive treatment, it should not be significantly worse than most others. In all likelihood, its reputation originated from a time when x-rays were not available or not routinely used before a procedure. In this instance, without x-rays, there would have been no way of knowing if an abscess was present. This would mean that the drill could come into contact with the abscess and we probably don’t need to tell you the rest! Rest assured, we always take x-rays prior to this treatment and where an abscess is detected, this will be treated before the root canal procedure takes place.

The procedure

As mentioned above, x-rays will be taken to check for abscesses and also to see what is going on in the root of the tooth. Once all preliminary checks have been made and providing that no abscesses are present, the treatment can then take place.

First of all, you will be given a local anaesthetic in the area that the procedure will take place. This will act quickly and help to make the root canal treatment more comfortable for you. When the area is fully numbed, the treatment can start.

The initial stage is to access the roots of the tooth. This sometimes involves the removal of some or all of the top section of the tooth. Once this has been done, the next step is to remove the infected soft pulp material. Once this has been done, the hollow canals are thoroughly cleaned to help prevent any reinfection from occurring.

The hollow canals will then be filled with Gutta Percha, a special filling material that is used for this treatment due to its excellent sealant properties. In effect then, the tooth has been restored. However, in this state, it would not be very strong and could break relatively easily. In order to help to prevent this, a crown will be attached to the top of the tooth for additional strength. It will also ensure that it looks and feels more natural too.

Once you have become used to your new restored tooth, you should be able to use it normally again. We do advise though, that you avoid biting or chewing harder foods with this tooth; partially as it has been heavily restored and will not be as strong as a healthy tooth, but also because the nerves have been removed and it will, in effect, be a ‘dead’ tooth. This means that you won’t be able to detect how much pressure is being applied to it and the risk of breaking it is therefore greater than with a healthy tooth.

We hope that this has helped any of our Canterbury patients who may have had a phobia about this particular treatment. Although it is a treatment that can be avoided by making sure that you clean your teeth well and see your dentist for regular check ups; if you do need to have it done, you should not be afraid.

If you would like more information on this, or any other treatment, or to book an appointment with us, we are always happy to be of help. You can call Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic on 01227 463529.

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