7 Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Treatment

Having a root canal treatment can sound frightening but understanding what the procedure involves can help to calm your nerves.

1. What Is Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal treatment is a procedure to save a tooth that has become decayed. The infected tissue, known as the pulp, that surrounds the nerves is cleaned out so that there is no further damage to your tooth.

2. Why Is A Root Canal Needed?

The area where the nerve is located is in a narrow passage called the root canal. When it becomes infected, it can cause severe pain. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body.

3. What Happens If I Don’t Have The Procedure?

If your dentist recommends that you have a root canal, but you refuse, you may lose the tooth. The decay and infection are likely to spread and may even cause further decay on other teeth.

Once tooth infection begins to spread, it can travel to other areas in your body. This is why it is important that t is treated straight away.

4. How Long Does The Procedure Take?

Depending on the amount of infection in your tooth, root canal therapy may require one or two appointments. On average, the procedure will take 30 to 60 minutes. If the treatment is on a tooth with multiple roots, it could take up to an hour and a half.

5. What Is The Expected Recovery Process?

After your treatment, you may experience some minor swelling and discomfort. However this should ease after the first 24 hours. Your dentist may send you home with some medications, such as antibiotics and painkillers.

After your appointment, your dentist may schedule a follow-up appointment. If you don’t suffer any complications, you will not need to return until then.

After the procedure, ou will be given a care package that will contain all of the information you will require about any complications.

6. Is The Procedure Painful?

The treatment is no more painful than having a normal filling. The root canal will also help to relieve the pain that the infected tooth has been causing. The area will be numbed during the treatment so you should experience a pain-free procedure.

7. What Are The Alternatives To A Root Canal?

The only way to save a tooth with infected pulp is to remove the pulp through root canal. Fillings and cleaning won’t address the problem. Therefore, the only alternative would be to extract the tooth to prevent the spread of the infection to other teeth. To maintain the mouths function of speech and eating, the tooth would need to be replaced with an implant, bridge or partial denture. Extraction would be a last resort.

If you are in pain, contact our practice on 01723 670500 for advice.