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30–90 minutes
£357.50–400
Have a toothache? Call us on 01922 614 685 or book online to schedule a visit.
Many people dread the prospect of getting root canal treatment because they associate the treatment with discomfort. However, it is not the root canal itself that causes pain.
Instead, root canal treatment relieves pain.
Contrary to how they appear, your teeth are not solid; they are hollow on the inside with a soft centre filled with nerve tissue and blood vessels. Your teeth have roots that anchor your teeth in the underlying bone, and each root has one or more tubes (canals) that house the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.
When your tooth is damaged or infected, the nerves send out pain signals. Sometimes, the only way to stop the pain is to remove the nerve from the tooth and seal it off, which is exactly what a root canal does.
Do you have gum disease? You may need treatment for periodontal disease if you suffer from the following symptoms:
You will have an X-ray taken of your tooth to evaluate the extent of the damage and plan your treatment.
Your dentist will numb your tooth and the surrounding gums with some local anaesthetic.
The dentist will drill a hole into your tooth to access the nerve chamber and canals.
The dentist will carefully clean your tooth to remove all traces of decay and to ensure that the nerve is gone.
Your tooth will be cleansed and treated with a medicament to prevent a new infection.
An additional X-ray image or two will be taken during or after your treatment to ensure that the tooth has been completely treated.
The dentist will fill your tooth to seal it off.
All of this happens within 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your tooth’s anatomy.
Your treatment may not end there, however. Most teeth are very weak after root canal therapy and need to be reinforced. We will call you back for a new appointment one to three weeks after your root canal where the dentist will check your tooth to place a permanent filling or dental crown.
What happens after your root canal treatment?
Your mouth may feel numb for several hours after treatment. When the local anaesthetic wears off, you may experience a bit of soreness in the gums around your tooth, but your original toothache will be gone..
After the dentist restores your tooth with a filling or crown, it will look and feel as natural as any other tooth. A root canal is not noticeable in your smile.
If your tooth needs root canal treatment, that means there is inflammation or infection in the nerve of your tooth or that there is a high risk of infection. Leaving your tooth untreated could let the infection spread and cause damage to your jaw or other teeth. Your only other option at that point would be to have your tooth extracted and replaced with a denture or dental implant.
No, you will not feel a thing while you have endodontic treatment. Your tooth will be entirely numb from the local anaesthetic.
Protect your teeth from injury by wearing a gum shield if you participate in athletic sports. Prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing daily, using a fluoride mouth rinse, and visiting a dentist for regular checkups.
Root canal treatment is a very safe and routine dental procedure. It is very similar to getting a dental filling.
It is perfectly natural and very common to be anxious about dental treatment. A good dentist will listen to you and answer your questions about root canal treatment. At Allsopp Dental, we understand that you may need some more reassurance before you can commit to treatment. We are more than happy to talk with you in-person to address your concerns. If you feel that some mild sedation would help you relax during your root canal, let us know. We can provide that.
Here’s how you can plan and schedule gum treatment at Allsopp Dental.
Complete a short form or call our practice directly on 01922 614 685 to schedule an appointment.
We will examine your teeth and gums, answer your questions, and design a custom treatment plan.
After reviewing your treatment options, we will help you choose a payment plan that suits you. Financing is available through our sister practice, Allsopp Smile.
We are ready to help. Dental anxiety is a very common issue, but it does not have to prevent you from getting the treatment you need. We can provide you with gentle dental sedation on-site at our practice to help you relax during your treatment.