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Root canal treatment is a procedure that is used to treat an infection in the centre of a tooth. Every tooth has a central nerve, the nerve has canals which extend towards the tips of the roots. The nerve allows you to feel temperature, pressure and pain, it can become damaged by decay, trauma or gum disease. If the nerve is damaged, you will experience pain and, in some incidences, swelling, this will result in difficulty eating, drinking and sleeping. In this scenario, the only option to preserve the health of the tooth is to perform a root canal treatment, otherwise known as endodontic treatment. This modern treatment involves minimal pain to save teeth that would otherwise need to be taken out.
As a general estimate, any single root canal appointment will last somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes, but in more complicated cases, the dentist may need as long as an hour and a half.
After root canal treatment, the tooth needs to be restored with a filling or crown. You need to ensure you look after the tooth with proper care, as instructed and maintain a good oral hygiene.
Root canal treatment treats the infected pulp, preserving the remaining tooth. The patient will be given anaesthetic prior to commencing the procedure to ensure the patient is comfortable. After treatment, you may feel some discomfort for a few days which could include sensitivity or some mild pain. In such cases, over the counter pain relief medication can be taken.
After the treatment, we advise that you should wait until the numbness wears off before anything is eaten or a hot drink consumed. This is to ensure that you do not bite your tongue and/or cheek or burn your mouth. You should not bite or chew with the treated tooth until it has been completely restored by the dentist, to prevent any further damage.
Our practice offers a finance option for all specialists and extensive courses of treatment. Interest-free options are available between 6 and 12 months. For more information, click below or call us on 01264 771114.
We provide a practice care plan membership that may help you pay for the cost of your dental treatments. Our plan includes your routine dental examination, hygiene sessions, x-rays and emergency appointments. A good method to budget for the expense of your regular dental treatment.
The surgery has been established for thirty years and is a busy, thriving private practice offering excellent cosmetic and routine dentistry for the whole family. The emphasis of care is on quality and an ethical approach promoting education and prevention. Care for all the generations is a priority and high standards of cross infection control are paramount.