If you’re searching for an effective treatment for a dental infection, root canal treatment could be just the saviour you’ve been looking for. Root canal treatment is often called upon when an infection has become severe and the only other alternative is to remove the tooth. Although many people get anxious when they even hear the words ‘root’ and ‘canal’ in the same sentence, this is actually a simple procedure that can really help to ease discomfort and restore good oral health.

Why would I need Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is predominantly used when an infection has spread to the tooth pulp (the living tissue of the tooth). When the pulp becomes infected, the tooth is at serious risk of extraction. The nerves and blood vessels are located within the pulp.

If you have a tooth that is severely decayed, you may be advised to have root canal treatment. This procedure is often an alternative to extraction and makes the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

The procedure involves clearing, cleaning and sealing the root canals to rid the tooth of infection and decayed tissue and prevent further spread of infection. Before the procedure, your dentist will give you a dose of local anaesthetic and this will numb the tooth so you won’t experience any discomfort. When your tooth is completely numb, your dentist will drill into the tooth and start to remove any decayed tissue from the root canals. Once the root canals are completely clear, your dentist will clean the root canals, fill them with gutta percha (a special dental material) and then seal them. This process helps to reduce the risk of infection spreading through the tooth.

Often, after root canal treatment, we advise fitting a new crown. The crown is placed over the top of the tooth and it helps to stabilise and strengthen it. Crowns also often improve the aesthetic of the tooth, particularly in cases of severe damage or decay.

When it comes to dental anxiety, root canal treatment is right up there with the most nerve-wracking experiences for many anxious patients. But what exactly is root canal treatment and why are people so worried about it? The truth is that root canal treatment is really nothing to worry about and at City Dental Leeds we promise you’re in the safest possible hands. This routine procedure is used to treat dental infections and it can often make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

What exactly is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is the dental procedure often called into action when a tooth is infected and the infection has reached the pulp. The pulp is the living tissue of the tooth and it contains the nerves and blood vessels. If the pulp becomes infected, blood supply to the tooth can be disrupted and reduced and this eventually causes the tooth to die. Root canal treatment removes the decayed pulp tissue and prevents the infection from spreading any further.

The actual procedure involves drilling into the tooth and removing any decayed tissue from the root canals. The root canals are cleared of damaged tissue and cleaned to remove any traces of harmful bacteria. When the root canals are completely clean, they are then filled with a dental material called gutta percha and sealed. This helps to prevent the spread of infection.

Is root canal treatment painful?

Many people automatically assume that root canal treatment is going to be painful. However, it is carried out under local anaesthetic, so in reality you actually won’t feel much at all. Your dentist will only begin to drill into the tooth once the anaesthetic has taken effect and the tooth is numb.

We understand that for many patients, any kind of dental treatment can be a scary prospect, but we can assure you that you’re in the best hands. Our dental team has experience in caring for patients who suffer with anxiety and dental phobia and we always strive to do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and ensure that treatment goes smoothly.

What happens after root canal treatment?

After root canal treatment, your mouth will feel numb for a short period of time. After a while, the sensation will start to come back and you may experience some discomfort. If this is the case, we recommend taking over the counter pain relief medication. In many cases, we like to fit a new crown after root canal treatment, as this helps to protect and strengthen the tooth further. This usually involves placing a temporary crown and then fitting a permanent restoration two weeks later.