Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment falls into a field of dentistry called endodontics, which deals with the nerve, or sensitive inner portion of the tooth. Root canal treatment, and other related endodontic procedures, have helped millions of patients overcome poor tooth health and frequently reduce painful problems.
Your dentist removes the inflamed, infected or (dead) nerve from inside your tooth, giving the area a careful cleaning and then inserting a root filling material into the root where the nerve originally was, prolonging the life of the tooth.
At Bedford Dental Surgery, our highly skilled endodontists will be pleased to discuss endodontic treatment with you should this area of dentistry be required as part of your personal treatment plan. You will be greeted by friendly, knowledgeable dental professionals who can guide you through treatment and ensure you know all you need to about endodontics.
The Root Canal Treatment Procedure
- The first stage of a root canal procedure is for your dentist to carefully evaluate your tooth to ensure that endodontics is the best treatment option for you. Dental x-rays will form part of this evaluation process so that your dentist can look under the surface of your tooth to assess the bone and structures of the root.
- After numbing your tooth with a local anaesthetic, your dentist will place a special cover over your tooth called a dental dam. This protects your airway whilst the endodontic treatment is being completed and also prevents saliva contaminating the tooth. Your dentist will then remove any filling in your tooth and use a special drill to expose the nerve. This will be entirely painless.
- Your dentist will remove the diseased nerve and will cleanse and shape the canals in your root so that an ideal root filling can be placed. Often your dentist will put a special antiseptic into your tooth and then put in a temporary filling. You will then wait a few days to have the root filling completed.
- Finally, your dentist will place a special root filling material into your root canals and then put a filling in your tooth. It is often the case that your tooth will require extra protection from fracture and so often a crown or inlay/onlay will be the best way to achieve this protection in the longer term.
For further information about any of our services please call us: 01234 269666.
