Root Canal Treatment

Endodontics in Christchurch, Dorset

If decay is left untreated it can develop further and become an abscess. Abscesses can be very painful and can lead to facial swelling. Once this occurs it will be necessary to undergo an extensive course of treatment. It is therefore a good idea to ensure that all recommended fillings are completed before they develop further. Root canal treatment is also more expensive than routine restoration work as it involves two longer appointments.

Because Root filled teeth have no pulp and therefore no blood supply they are weaker than ‘live’ teeth and because of this it is necessary to have the tooth crowned at some stage. The alternative to having root canal therapy is to have the tooth extracted.

Stage 1 – Undetected caries (decay)Open or Close

Untreated decay eats away through the enamel and into the softer dentine core of the tooth. The pulp of the tooth, which is extremely receptive to stimulus, may start to give intermittent pain signals.
Stage 2 – InfectionOpen or Close

Once decay reaches the pulp bacteria and infection affect the tooth causing the pulp canal to be infected. This infection travels down the canals and involves the nerves and blood supply of the tooth. The tooth is in the process of dying and needs urgent treatment.
Stage 3 – TreatmentOpen or Close

Because of the need to reduce infection it is usually necessary to carry out treatment under rubber dam (non-latex rubber dam is available).

Treatment involves removing the pulp using very small sterile files (figure 1). Shaping the canals and filling them with a rubber material called Gutta Percha (figure 2). Once the root canals are filled and an x-ray is taken to ensure all infection has been removed and the filling is successful (figure 3), the tooth can be filled as normal.