Endodontics, or root canal treatment as it is more commonly known, is a common procedure that is carried out to save a tooth that has been severely damaged by decay or as a result of an injury or accident, and is one we at The Priors Dental Practice have years of experience carrying out.

The Procedure

The actual procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain. During the operation, the Endodontist will drill into the tooth and remove the damaged pulp portion of the tooth from the root canal, along with damaged nerve tissue and bacteria. The pulp contains all the living tissue in the tooth. Once the pulp has been removed the root canal is cleaned thoroughly and filled with a cement-like substance, after which the root canal is sealed and a crown or filling is placed over the top.

The procedure is relatively straight-forward and should not cause any pain or discomfort. Once the local anaesthetic starts to wear off you may experience mild pain but this can be treated effectively using painkillers. To begin with, it is best to avoid eating hard and chewy foods but after a day or so you will be able to eat normally.

Taking Care of Your Teeth

It is really important that you look after the tooth in the same way as you look after the rest of your teeth. This involves regular brushing, flossing and rinsing and visiting the dentist on a regular basis. In some cases, root canal treatment may not be possible. This is usually because the tooth is severely damaged, either due to extensive tooth decay, advanced gum disease or because of an accident or injury. If this is the case, the tooth may have to be extracted.