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When is root canal treatment necessary?

When is root canal treatment necessary?
06/02/2016 76 Harley Street

The phrase ‘root canal treatment’ tends to strike fear into most of us, even if we have never had it. In fact, while those who haven’t had it may shudder at the very thought, most people who have had root canal treatment report that they were pleasantly surprised by the experience. So it is not unusual to hear patients at our central London specialist dental practice say ‘is it really necessary?’

Why do I need root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is required when the pulp – the soft tissue within the teeth that contains the nerves, connective tissues and blood vessels – becomes infected. This can happen when there is a fault in the pulp’s usual defences (the tooth itself), a crack or very deep cavity, for example; this allows bacteria to spread to the pulp, with pus accumulating at the tip of the root. In most cases, the result is pain and sensitivity to temperature. An infected pulp will not heal if left to its own devices so, to prevent losing the whole tooth, action is indeed necessary.

What happens during root canal treatment?

root canal treatment at London dental practice

Our endodonists at 76 Harley Street

During your consultation at specialist dental practice 76 Harley Street, one of our endontists will talk you through the procedure, reassuring you that both their extensive experience and advances in modern technology make root canal treatment a pain-free procedure. They will explain how the infected pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth cleaned and filled before fitting a temporary crown, and how the permanent crown is installed at a later appointment. At our London clinic, we put patient comfort at the centre of our practice, ensuring that we listen to their concerns and doubts and that we help them to fully understand why a treatment is required. In the case of root canal, the aim is not to cause a patient pain, rather to alleviate it.

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