I want to save my teeth » Root Canal Treatment
Our Leicester dentists at Smile Essential will always endeavor to save your teeth rather than remove them, because natural teeth are best. The loss of even one tooth can have a detrimental effect on your mouth and can lead to your other teeth drifting into the gap, which can cause problems with your bite.
One of the ways we can prevent the loss of a tooth is with root canal treatment. Treatment involves the removal of the pulp tissues from the centre of your tooth in the event that this becomes infected or inflamed. A root canal treated tooth can function normally and can be maintained with routine dental care and oral hygiene measures.
Root canal treatment (also called Endodontics) is needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damaged by an injury to your mouth. This infection may spread through the root canal system, which could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the tooth may need to be taken out.
Nik did a brilliant job…I never would worry about having any dental treatment ever again. 
I'm now able to eat food like normal people… I feel more confident in myself, I can smile which I never used to do before… I'm really really grateful for what Smile Essential have done. Signs of pulp damage may include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, tenderness of the overlying gums or a bad taste in the mouth. On the other hand, there may be no symptoms at all. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can eventually cause pain, swelling and loss of the supporting bone.
Root canal treatment procedures are relatively comfortable and often painless as the tooth is anaesthetised during treatment. After treatment, the tooth may be sensitive or tender for a few days due to inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Taking over-the-counter painkillers can relieve this discomfort. However, if the pain persists and is severe, or a swelling occurs, you should contact us immediately.
To keep your mouth in tiptop health we recommend you visit Smile Essential in Narborough Road for regular hygiene appointments and dental examinations.
Our Leicester dentists perform root canal treatment to stop the infection from spreading and to preserve as much of your tooth as possible. Using specific techniques and advanced equipment, you will receive a local anaesthetic and the treatment itself should feel no different to having a filling. The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal, which is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure and most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits.
FAQs
When is root canal treatment necessary?
- When the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth (dental pulp) are inflamed and degenerated. This is usually accompanied by pain.
- If the dental pulp degenerates completely, the root canals can become infected, leading to formation of an abscess, with or without discomfort on bite.
What is the reason for the disease of the dental pulp?
Tooth decay, cracks, large fillings, trauma or even tooth wear can sometimes cause irreversible damage to the dental pulp.
How long does root treatment take?
A routine root canal treatment can take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
How long will the tooth last?
The success rates for root canal treatment is in the region of 80%- 95%. The success depends on firstly being able to access the canals and secondly on the ability to disinfect the entire length of the root canals. In some cases this is not possible due to the extent of the infection, technical difficulties and complications. Provided the tooth is subsequently restored, it should last for many years.
