If the nerve in the root of a tooth becomes infected either through injury or decay, it becomes inflamed and causes pain. Left untreated, this can develop into an abscess, a notoriously painful affliction, and may even lead to the loss of a tooth. Perhaps you have already had root canal treatment and are puzzled as to why you have been advised you need it again – a situation not uncommon to new London patients we see at 76 Harley Street. It may be that not all the canals in your affected tooth (while the front teeth usually have just one canal, the back have multiple) were treated effectively, or that the root fillings do not extend right to the tip of the root.
Who can perform root canal treatment?
While root canal treatment is a routine procedure, your dentist may refer you on to an endodontist, a root canal specialist. At our central London specialist dental practice, not only do our endodontists have particular expertise in this field of dentistry but they have access to state-of-the-art technology: high magnification microscopes which enable them to see inside the root as they clean it. The first step is a consultation to ascertain the degree of the problem and whether surrounding tissue and bone are affected before a comprehensive treatment plan is discussed and agreed. The treatment will likely be carried out over two sessions.
The very idea of it fills me with dread…
At our specialist dental practice we believe that dental treatment need not be painful or uncomfortable. We will discuss your anaesthesia options beforehand to ensure you feel confident in the procedure, and we prescribe analgaesics and antibiotics where appropriate. Our team of specialists are very understanding of our patients’ preconceptions and fears and have great experience in making their root canal treatment as anxiety-free and painless as possible.
For more information or to book a consultation, get in touch.
