Root Canal Treatment
Relieve pain from an infected tooth in Watford
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is necessary when an infection forms inside the tooth. This process is used where otherwise a tooth may need to be removed.
The root canal contains dental pulp and is found from the top of your tooth all the way down to the root. You will need root canal treatment if the pulp has been damaged by infection. Your dentist will only know this for sure, by conducting x-rays.
When do you need root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is given to patients from Bushey, Watford, Moor Park, Chandler’s Cross, Rickmansworth, and throughout Hertfordshire if they have suffered a trauma to a tooth or if they have tooth decay.
You may notice pain when chewing or when eating or drinking hot and cold food and drinks. It’s important to see a dentist at this stage before the infection can spread.
If the infection spreads, you may notice that the pain has subsided, but other symptoms can occur including swelling around the tooth or gum, pus from the tooth or the tooth getting darker.
The pulp cannot heal itself, so it’s important that you contact us at Watford Dental Practice if you experience any pain or symptoms shown above.
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How does root canal treatment in Watford work?
Identify and diagnose the infection
Local anaesthetic
Removal of infected pulp
Once your tooth is numb, your dentist will gently drill your tooth to create an opening.
He or she will then remove the pulp using special dental equipment.
Cleaning of the root canals
Your dentist will then clean the canals using a special liquid which prevents the infection returning.
The dentist will then seal your tooth.
Temporary filling
You’ll be given a temporary filling to close the opening made at the start of the procedure.
You may also be given antibiotics to halt the spread of infection.
Follow up
You may need to take paracetamol to manage the pain and reduce the swelling as the local anaesthetic wears off.
You will need to see your dentist again to ensure that your infection has gone.
Your dentist will take more x-rays to ensure that this is the case and will replace your temporary filling with a permanent filling or a crown.
Benefits of root canal treatment in Watford
Root canal treatment is not a treatment that most patients from Watford, Moor Park, Bushey, Rickmansworth, Chandler’s Cross and Hertfordshire want to go through, but the benefits of having root canal treatment mean:
- Avoiding the alternative option which is have the tooth removed which leaves a gap in your mouth and is more costly and complex to replace
- Root canal treatment relieves the pain and infection from your tooth
- The process for root canal is not painful as you are given a local anaesthetic
- You can return to work and your usual routines within a day or two
FAQ's for Root Canal Treatment
Will my affected tooth be the same after root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a restorative treatment. You should see no difference in the tooth after treatment and if you maintain a good oral hygiene, there’s no reason why your affected tooth cannot last a lifetime.
What should I not do after root canal treatment?
You should avoid biting or chewing down hard for a while on the affected tooth. Immediately after root canal treatment you should avoid hot and cold foods. You should not smoke as this interferes with the healing process.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Many patients worry about the pain involved in root canal treatment. The reality is that you will be experiencing far more pain from the infection. The pain for the treatment is about the same as a filling. You will be given a local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure itself. You may experience soreness and tenderness to the gums after the procedure, but this is manageable with paracetamol. You should be back to your usual routines within a day or two.
