What is a Root Canal?
This is a specialty of dentistry known as endodontics, which deals exclusively with the nerves of the tooth. This treatment is often recommended when the nerves within the tooth become infected or die, which can cause severe pain. Thanks to advanced developments, dentists now have the skills and technology available to save teeth without having to resort to the removal of the tooth.
Infected/Inflamed Pulp Tissue
Root Canal Treatment Manchester
At the core of the tooth is soft tissue known as pulp, which is housed in a hollow area that contains a space towards the top known as the pulp chamber. This pulp chamber is connected to the root of the tooth via pipe-like canals, giving rise to the term “root canal”. Occasionally, the internal soft tissue of the tooth becomes infected and this can result in a serious infection if left untreated. This treatment should take place before the infection becomes to serious, and aims to remove the infected tissue and clean the canals.
It’s not always easy to identify what is causing pain around your teeth, but infections in the root of the tooth can be identified as producing spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting, increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods, and severe decay that leads to an abscess in the bone.
Some indications of the need for the treatment may be:
- Spontaneous pain or throbbing while biting.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
- Severe decay or an injury that creates an abscess (infection) in the bone.
The Procedure
In order to treat the infection, Dr Aisha Ahmed and her team will have to remove the bacteria from within the tooth. Dr Ahmed is trained to perform endodontic treatment on even the most difficult cases. With a special microscope, she can locate calcified and unusual canal forms and tackle infections before they progress.
To begin treatment, Dr Ahmed and her team will provide anaesthesia, then create a hole down the pulp. Using tiny instruments, Dr Ahmed will extract the remaining pulp from the tooth and thoroughly disinfect the tooth canal in the process, ensuring the infection is completely removed. Once the infection has been dealt with, the interior of the tooth is filled with an inert material that helps to block the canal from further infection. In around 9 out of 10 cases, a tooth can survive for up to 10 years after the treatment is completed.
Contact us today to set up an appointment with Dr. Ahmed.
FAQs
What is the root canal?
The root canal is not actually the treatment, but a system within the tooth that contains the soft tissue, or pulp, from the centre of the tooth. The system extends from the crown of the tooth to the end of the root, and as such any infection can cause severe pain throughout the tooth and gum.
Are there any alternatives to this treatment?
Unfortunately the only alternative is the complete removal of the tooth. Unlike many other dental treatments, this treatment is used to prevent the spread of infection and as such are rarely optional. If an infection is allowed to develop it can lead to further infection of the gum and even more severe consequences for your overall health. Those who wish to avoid this procedure are likely to face complete tooth extraction in order remove the infection.
Is the treatment painful?
The nerves are involved, so unfortunately, this means there can be pain requiring anaesthesia. Following the treatment, many patients choose to use over the counter pain killers to reduce pain, although some dentists will provide short term pain relief. Despite this, the pain experienced after the treatment is often described as favourable to the pain caused by an infected tooth, and post-treatment discomfort is only likely to last a couple of weeks.
