A root canal is a dental procedure used to save a tooth which has become infected or is severely damaged. This procedure is often used to save your natural tooth to avoid an extraction.
The inner section of your tooth is referred to as the pulp and is an amalgamation of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. When this section of the tooth becomes inflamed the patient will experience intense and persistent toothache which will persist until treated.
At Smile Solutions Richmond, we can carry out a professional and safe root canal procedure to remove the infection and prevent any further problems from occurring so you can happily enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks.
Tooth inflammation is generally caused by one tooth or multiple teeth becoming decayed, cracked, or chipped. When this occurs the pulp is then prone to become infected.
When a patient is suffering from an infection they will often suffer from the symptoms listed below:
At Smile Solutions Richmond dental practice, we offer root canal treatment solutions where we will remove the infected pulp, clean, and disinfect the area, and then seal it back up to prevent any further infections. Our root canals can save your tooth from needing a complete extraction.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of tooth inflammation or infection, we may recommend a root canal treatment unless another procedure is more appropriate.
Our root canal process is straightforward and involves the administration of anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. One of our dentists will then create a small opening in the top of your tooth to access the pulp and remove it before it worsens any further.
Once the infected pulp has been removed, the hollowed-out tooth will be thoroughly flushed out with a disinfectant solution and the canal will be shaped. Following this, we seal the area with a medicated substance to provide support, strength, and stability to the affected tooth and allow it to make a full recovery.
During this treatment we will use anesthesia and if required, we can also administer a sedative to ensure our patients are comfortable and relaxed during the whole process.
Following the sealing of the tooth you may be asked to return for a dental crown or other restoration to protect the tooth and restore full function.
Getting a root canal is beneficial for a number of reasons with the general aim being to improve overall long-term oral health and provide a pain-free smile for all patients.
Unlike a tooth extraction, whereby the entire tooth is removed to make way for a replacement, our root canal treatment focuses on saving your natural tooth.
A successful procedure will allow you to keep your original smile whilst also letting you enjoy all of your favorite foods without pain or discomfort.
If you have been experiencing persistent toothache which stops you from eating and keeps you up at night then a root canal can significantly enhance your quality of life.
Once the infected tooth pulp is removed (the source of the pain) you will experience relief and your sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink will be noticeably reduced.
It is hard to just ignore a painful tooth as we use our mouths for eating, drinking, and speaking and the longer these symptoms last the higher the chance that serious complication can arise.
Tooth infections which are left untreated can spread to the surrounding area, weakening the gingival foundation and adjacent teeth.
Our Smile Solutions Richmond treatment addresses the problem at its ‘root’ and will prevent any more damage from happening, alongside eliminating the costs associated with potential future procedures which would be more invasive and costly.
Whilst many people believe that a root canal is a very painful treatment, the truth is that they aren’t any more painful than a simple tooth filling!
If you are apprehensive about a root canal, our dentists at Smile Solution Richmond, will provide you with a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort you may experience during and shortly after the procedure.
However, it is important to be aware that there may be some sensitivity and discomfort on and around the affected tooth. You may find that your gum is slightly sensitive and swollen but this is completely normal with only mild pain present whilst your tooth heals.
Prior to leaving your appointment, our dentists will provide you with specific instructions to take care of your tooth afterwards and recommend any follow-up procedures if they would be beneficial to you.
After having a root canal, it is vital that you follow all of the after-care instructions we give you. If you do this then the affected tooth root canal can last for a very long time as this procedure is considered to be a long-lasting solution with a relatively high success rate.
On average, a tooth which has received a root canal usually lasts between 8-10 years, however, it may last years longer if the patient gives proper care and attention to their oral health. A number of factors should be taken into account to ensure that this is the case, but there are some factors which can’t be influenced by the patient.
Factors which affect root canal longevity include:
Unfortunately, dealing with an infection in your mouth always increases the risk of a recurrent infection in that area. If this is the case, a second root canal can be carried out to remove the infection.
In the unlikely events that the infection remains, despite a thorough and high-quality root canal treatment being performed, a small surgery can be carried out which will remove the root tip and will therefore remove any existing infection. This procedure is called an apicoectomy. However, this is in the unlikely event of the infection lingering and is often completed by an endodontist.
Are you still curious about our root canal treatments and wondered if this is the right treatment for you?
Get in touch with us today to see how we can transform your smile here at Smile Solutions Richmond.
