What is involved during a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment (also known as endodontic treatment) deals with infection within the root canals of the tooth.

The treatment offers an excellent chance to save the tooth that has become infected, and which otherwise would have to be extracted.

How does the root canal of a tooth become infected?

Bacteria can enter the tooth due to cracks, chips, broken teeth, or decay that is untreated and eventually reaches the pulp (nerve) inside the tooth. Infection of the tooth happens when bacteria make their way into the pulp chamber of the tooth.

That is why when you have even a small area of tooth decay (also known as a cavity) it is important to get it filled so that it does not decay further.

Once bacteria reach the pulp chamber, it causes inflammation of the nerve and becomes infected.

What happens during a root canal procedure?

To start with, the patient is given a local anaesthetic. Dr Irani uses a machine known as THE WAND, that delivers the local anaesthetic – this is a painless way of administering the local anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic ensures that no pain is felt during the treatment.

In fact, there is no reason why a root canal treatment should cause more discomfort that any other dental treatments.

Once the tooth is fully numbed, a hole is drilled through the top of the tooth, in order to gain access into the pulp.
The nerve canals within the roots are located, cleaned and shaped, by the use of very fine instruments.

Disinfectant agents are used during the cleaning and the shaping of the canals, to help kill the bacteria and remove all infection.

In between root canal appointments, medicine is left within the tooth, which continues to kill bacteria, and the top of the tooth is sealed with a very strong temporary filling.

Once we are confident that all the infection has been cleaned out of the tooth, it is filled with a specific material with excellent sealant properties, which greatly reduces the risk of re-infection.

What happens at the completion of a root canal procedure?

After completion of root canal work, a permanent filling is placed on the top of the
tooth.

How does crowning the treated tooth help?

It is usually recommended that the tooth should then be crowned.

A crown serves to strengthen and protect the tooth and prevents it from breaking or chipping in the future. This is important as teeth that have undergone root canal treatment could possibly be more prone to break. The crown protects the tooth and ensures that it remains intact.

We are always happy to discuss the treatment best suited to you and explain the details so that you are aware of what we are doing. We find that, for many patients, this helps to ease any anxieties they may have.

Please do let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment.