Root Canal Treatment London

Root Canal Treatment in London for infected teeth

Root Canal Treatment London - The Dental Centre

What is our Root Canal Treatment in London?

Inside every tooth is a nerve and if decay reaches the nerve, or if a tooth fractures then bacteria can induce infection. This may cause pain and lead to abscess formation in the bone around the roots.

Root canal treatment in London eliminates the bacteria from the root canal and removes the cause of the infection.

Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

You will always be given a local anaesthetic injection when you have any form of invasive dentistry such as a root canal treatment, and what is worth bearing in mind is that many people are in quite severe pain before having root canal treatment in London due to the infection or abscess which is present. Having this treatment then removes the initial cause of pain and so pain relief is the result.

In some instances it may also be possible to offer dental sedation during a root canal treatment. There are various ways that sedation can be offered, either by breathing in a relaxing gas or by having an injection which will keep you awake but ensure that you have no conscious awareness of what is going on.

When you come for an initial assessment for any root canal treatment in London and think that you may like dental sedation then please do let your dentist know as appropriate arrangements can then be made.

The following diagrammatic video show how a root canal is performed.

The Root Canal Treatment Procedure

The treatment is done by accessing the nerve and removing it. The root canals are located and measured and then cleaned and shaped with fine instruments. The canals are finally filled with special materials. Root canal work is a skilled and time consuming procedure and most courses of treatment will involve one or two appointments of one to two hours duration in our dentist in London.

Pain After Root Canal Treatment in London

Normally, as we have mentioned before, pain is actually less after root canal treatment as it deals with the infection and abscess. Sometimes a tooth can feel painful after root canal treatment if you bite excessively hard on it, we therefore recommend being careful about what you eat for a few days after having this form of dentistry.

There is often a falsely held belief that root canal treatments are very painful.People have a tendency to believe this because they are actually reporting on the pain that they feel prior to having treatment caused by infection and the abscess. With modern injection techniques and anaesthetic the RCT is generally speaking no more painful than a routine filling which is normally described as uncomfortable rather than painful.

The real trick to reducing pain with root canal treatments is to not let the condition get so bad in the first place. There are a few instances where pain can be worse after root canal treatment, including badly inflamed teeth and grinding teeth (Bruxism)

If the gum and connective tissues around your teeth become badly inflamed then it is this that can cause post root canal treatment sensitivity and/or pain. This is why we recommend seeing the dentist as soon as possible to ensure that the infection does not build up and cause this type of pain.

If you grind your teeth then this will transfer the pressure onto any inflamed gum and connective tissues around your teeth, so being aware of grinding and clenching will also help to eliminate sensitivity and/or pain after root canal treatment.

How to Reduce Pain

Take regular pain killers
Ask your dentist for stronger pain killers if regular ones don’t have an effect
Eat soft food fora few days after treatment to allow your gums and teeth time to recover

Problems After Root Canal Treatment in London

As already mentioned, root canal treatment often consists of a couple of treatments and it is often between these treatments that problems can arise. Rest assured that we refer our complex root canal treatments to a local London specialist as they have the equipment and experience to deal with any complex cases.

Generally though post operative pain can be managed with regular painkillers which are available over the counter. In some instances your dentist may prescribe anti-inflammatory or stronger painkillers to deal with any more severe pain.

Another good suggestion is to eat soft food for a few days after your root canal treatment. This gives time for the surrounding soft tissue and ligaments to recover after the treatment as it is these which actually cause the pain, and not the tooth. Eating a soft diet transfers less force to these affected areas and therefore keeps pain to a minimum.

In the interim appointments it is also generally recommended to avoid extremely hot or cold foods, this is because the root canals may not be fully filled at the first appointment. Avoiding this type of food will also help to reduce post-operative sensitivity.

Root Canal Treatment London - The Dental Centre

Root Canal in London FAQs

How do I know if I need a root canal?

More often than not, when patients come to us in great pain and discomfort because of a damaged tooth, it’s because bacteria have had a chance to get inside a cavity. This can lead to increased pain, and swelling and eventually, it can lead to the pulp inside the tooth’s root canal becoming infected. 

If you have a tooth that is:

  • Cracked
  • Decayed
  • Fitted with a crown which has broken
  • Fitted with a filling which has cracked
  • Has suffered trauma through a knock to the mouth

Then you may need a root canal.

Is root canal treatment painful?

Modern dentistry has come a long way, and although a root canal is an invasive procedure, it shouldn’t be a painful one. Any root canal we carry out is done under local anaesthetic, so we can successfully remove any damaged tissue and you won’t feel a thing.

It’s likely that you will feel some pain after your procedure, which can be managed with pain killers as the area heals. You may also be advised to stick to softer foods during the healing period so as to not irritate the area further.

How long does a root canal last?

Once a root canal has taken place, it’s possible for the restored tooth to last for the rest of your life. Of course, this depends heavily on how well you take care of your teeth and gums, so it’s important to keep up a good oral hygiene routine.

To get the very longest time out of your root canal treatment, remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss and use mouthwash. You should always keep up with routine dental appointments so that if there are any issues arising, they can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Can a root canal reverse the damage of gum disease?

In more severe cases of gum disease, a scale and polish are unlikely to be effective enough, and a root canal may be deemed necessary. Root canal treatment works to remove damage, decay and dead tissue to prevent any spread of infection. This can help prevent further bone tissue loss and can preserve remaining teeth.

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