Root Canal Therapy in Bolton
Our dentists at Dentistry in Bolton provide root canal therapy to help protect your oral health and save your damaged tooth.
What is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the damaged pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special dental materials, which can help return the tooth to its full function.
Root Canal Treatment in Bolton
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what many people may not realize is that extracting (pulling) a tooth is often ultimately more costly because it can cause significant problems for adjacent teeth. Root canal treatment is typically effective, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated.
Signs and symptoms that your tooth is damaged:
- An abscess on the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Swelling and/or tenderness
- Sometimes no symptoms are present
You may require root canal therapy if:
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
- Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
- Injury or trauma to the tooth
What does root canal therapy involve?
A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).
While the tooth is numb, a sheet of rubber will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the damaged pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with a dentist's instruments.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.
At the next appointment, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. Almost all teeth that have root canal treatment need to have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and return it to its full function.
After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.
You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.