Saving Your Teeth With a Root Canal
Do you have a toothache that’s causing you discomfort? We understand how horrible it can be to experience tooth pain and the anxiety that accompanies it, such as worrying if your tooth needs to be removed. However, a painful and inflamed tooth doesn’t always mean that it has to be extracted. It could be a case of infection that can be cured with antibiotics or decay that can be treated with a Root Canal.
As dentists, we always prioritise saving your natural teeth, with extraction as a last resort. Preserving your teeth is better for your gum and jawbone health, and it also means that you don’t have to think about tooth replacement options, which can be costly and require regular maintenance. So, if you’re interested in learning more about how our Endodontist in Bristol can help you retain your natural smile through a root canal, keep reading.
Do You Need a Root Canal?
Root canals are a dental procedure that can save badly decayed, damaged or infected teeth by removing the infected tissue. Usually, it’s impossible to tell if you have a problem until the infection worsens and the symptoms become more severe. The following symptoms may indicate that you need a root canal:
- Persistent tooth pain
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Tooth discolouration
- Swollen gums
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- A bump on the gum
- A bad taste in your mouth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s vital to consult a dentist as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when it comes to saving a tooth with a root canal, as delaying treatment could result in the need for an extraction. After getting in touch with our Bristol team, we will invite you for a consultation with one of our dentists, who will examine your mouth and determine if you need a referral to our Endodontist, Dr Justin Underwood.
Justin specialises in treating complex endodontic cases, increasing the chances of saving your tooth if it has been badly injured or has a chronic infection.
If a root canal isn’t enough to repair your tooth due to severe infection or damage, we will discuss extraction options with you. Don’t worry if this is the case, as we offer painless extractions in Bristol and a wide range of tooth replacement options depending on your preferences and budget.
How We Can Save Your Teeth With a Root Canal:
Let us explain the process:
Stage 1:
Typically, a root canal procedure takes two visits to complete. During your initial consultation, we may take a series of X-rays to assess the condition of your affected tooth. On the day of the procedure, our Endodontist, Justin, will use local anaesthesia to numb the area around your infected tooth so that you don’t feel any pain during the treatment.
After that, he will drill open your tooth to access the pulp (soft tissue) and remove any infected tissue. Once the infected pulp has been removed, he will clean and disinfect the canals to avoid further infection. At the end of your first visit, your tooth will be temporarily filled while we wait for the infection to subside. You might also be prescribed antibiotics to aid in the healing process.
Stage 2:
Once the infection has cleared, we will invite you back for a follow-up appointment. During this visit, Justin will remove the temporary filling and fill the tooth with a special material called “gutta-percha.” This material helps prevent further infections. After that, the tooth will be sealed with a permanent filling, or a porcelain crown might be used to improve the tooth’s appearance if there’s tooth discolouration.
The success of a root canal treatment depends on several factors, such as the extent of damage to your tooth, how well you take care of your teeth post-procedure, and the biting forces on the tooth. Good oral hygiene significantly improves the survival rate of a root canal, and opting for a crown over a filling is a better choice.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
Despite what you may have heard from others, it is actually not a painful experience. Dentistry has advanced significantly in recent years, allowing us to use stronger local anaesthetics that prevent you from feeling any pain. Additionally, the tools and techniques we use have become less invasive, making the treatment easier and quicker to recover from.
We understand that some patients may be anxious or scared of the dentist. If you fall into this category, we can offer you extra support through sedation therapy. This service is available to all our patients after a health consultation, helping you relax and feel more comfortable during treatments. If you’re interested in sedation, please let us know in advance so we can schedule a consultation. We offer different types of sedation, including oral, inhalation, and intravenous sedation (conscious IV sedation), depending on your preference and whether you’re afraid of needles. Check out our blog post on sedation dentistry if you’d like to learn more about this option and how it can help with your dental phobia.
Benefits of Saving Your Tooth with a Root Canal:
- Preservation of your natural teeth: Retains the natural structure and function of the tooth.
- Eliminates pain & discomfort: Relieves toothache and discomfort associated with infected or damaged teeth.
- Maintains biting & chewing ability: Helps to continue normal eating habits without difficulty.
- Prevents adjacent teeth shifting: A missing tooth can cause adjacent teeth to shift, leading to misalignment. Root canal treatment prevents this by preserving the original tooth structure.
- Preserves aesthetics: Keeping the natural tooth helps maintain the natural appearance of your smile, preventing gaps or the need for artificial replacements.
- Less invasive: Root canal treatment is generally less invasive than tooth extraction, requiring less recovery time and causing less trauma to surrounding tissues.
- Avoids the need for tooth replacement: Saving a tooth with a root canal eliminates the need for dental bridges or implants, which may be required if a tooth is extracted.
- Prevents bone loss: Extraction of a tooth can lead to jawbone loss over time. Root canal treatment helps retain the tooth in the socket, preserving the surrounding bone structure.
- Cost-effective: While the initial cost of a root canal treatment may be higher than extraction, it is generally more cost-effective than tooth replacement options over time.
- Long-term solution: With proper care, a tooth treated with a root canal can last a lifetime.
Final Word:
Are you experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above? If you’re in need of a private dentist in Bristol to help save your tooth, contact The Bristol Dental Practice today. We offer flexible appointments during the week & weekend, including Sundays, to ensure that we can see you as soon as possible. We understand how much a toothache can disrupt your daily life, so it’s important to address the issue promptly. This will also increase the chances of saving your tooth.
If you need our help, please get in touch with us at 0117 910 5929. We look forward to hearing from you.