Root Canal in Brentwood
Root Canal
The crown of the tooth is made up of the hard, white, enamel layer and a thicker dentine layer. Both these hard layers protect the innermost soft tissues of the tooth called the pulp. The dental pulp contains blood vessels and nerves within and extends from the crown to the tips of the root or roots.
Your dentist might recommend root canal treatment if the pulp of your tooth is infected or inflamed. This can happen if the tooth decay is very deep, if there’s extensive trauma to the tooth, if the tooth enamel and dentine on the outside of the tooth gets excessively worn down.
Signs you may Need a Root Canal
Tooth pain can be caused by various factors in your mouth. We would recommend that patients should always book an appointment if they’re experiencing any pain or discomfort from any part of their mouth.
Here are some reasons you may need a root canal:
- Severe tooth pain at any point during the day, especially when eating or pressure is on your tooth
- Teeth that have darkened due to trauma
- Gum tenderness or swelling
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
- A bump or sinus on the gums in the affected area
At our practice, near to Shenfield station and Brentwood, we will be able to help diagnose the cause of your pain and offer treatment in order to alleviate the pain, and hopefully through use of root canal, save your tooth or teeth. We also have emergency appointments available to book throughout the week so you can be seen as soon as possible.
What to expect during a root canal?
We will ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure and through use of local anesthesia, a root canal isn’t more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling. However, a root canal is generally a bit sore or numb after the procedure, and can even cause mild discomfort for a few days.
Root canals can be a complex, time consuming procedure, therefore we will not rush your root canal. This means that the root canal will often be completed over multiple visits.
On the first visit we will aim to clean out the infected or inflammed pulpal contents. This should mean, in the days after your first root canal visit, the pain should subside.
On the second visit, fine instruments will be used to enlarge the canal space, which will subsequently be filled. After completion, your dentist may suggest a crown is placed over the tooth in order to protect and provide strength.
After the Root Canal
It is normal to expect some discomfort once the root canal is completed. Usually after a few days the discomfort should alleviate. Just like all your teeth it is important to ensure careful brushing and regular examinations, and hygiene visits.
