Root Canal Treatments Shepperton, Surrey
Nagging tooth pain that won't go away? Chances are it's a root canal
Root canal or endodontic treatment is needed to save a tooth badly damaged by decay, disease or trauma. At Confident Smile Dental Practice in Shepperton we use root canal treatment to allow you to keep affected teeth rather than have them removed and replaced artificially.
SAVE YOUR TEETH TODAY
WHAT ARE ROOT CANALS?
Inside every tooth, there are fine canals, also known as root canals. These root canals contain dental pulp, consisting of nerves and blood vessels. If your dental pulp dies or is diseased, the root canal will become infected, and a toothache and abscess will occur. An Endodontist or your dentist can carry out a root canal treatment to save the tooth.
There are a few contributing factors that cause pulp death, including:
- Decay
- Trauma
- Deep cavities
- Extreme wear
- Tooth fracture or a crack in the tooth
Root canal treatment should start immediately after your dentist identifies the problem. The root canal process includes removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the canal and sealing it with a waterproof filling. It is important to restore the tooth properly to ensure the bacteria can’t re-enter the canal. A dentist carries out root canal treatment. However more complex situations, you can be referred to an endodontist specialist.
NEED TO KNOW
APPOINTMENTS
- Root canal treatment usually takes several visits to complete
- At the consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and take x-rays. You may require some initial treatment if you are in pain.
- At the next visits, we’ll clean, shape and disinfect the root canal. A small rubber sheet (or ‘rubber dam’) will be used to isolate the tooth.
- Finally, the root canal is filled and restored. If there has been a significant loss of tooth structure, you may also require a crown to protect it from further damage.
- It is common for the tooth to be a little tender to bite on the following appointments. This should quickly resolve, but you can always contact us if you have any concerns.
YOU MAY BE ASKED ABOUT
- Your dental and medical history
- Any pain or symptoms you are experiencing.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE
- The consultation and dental check-up can take around 30 to 45 minutes.
- The root canal procedure will take 60 to 90 minutes for each needed appointment.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
No special preparation is needed.
AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Maintain good oral hygiene habits at home
- Avoid eating chewy or hard foods for the first few days.
- Take simple analgesics such as paracetamol for any post-treatment discomfort.
- Ensure that you return for any follow-up treatment, such as a crown
WHAT’S NEXT?
Learn more about some possible treatment options with your local Shepperton Dental practice. We recommend you book an appointment with a dentist to further discuss, so they can provide expert advice on getting your mouth on track.