Worried about needing a root-canal? Our dentist from Walkerston breaks down the procedure

While there are few dental procedures which are popular, endodontics or root canals are among the most unpopular treatments as voted by dental patients.

And, while a root canal is a great way of removing an infection from a tooth, it is easy to understand why they aren’t popular; many people wrongly associate them with discomfort, the procedure itself sounds far from pleasant and of course, there is the myth of root canals killing the tooth.

Luckily, we are here to tell you that root canals do not hurt (in fact, they alleviate pain), the procedure is pretty standard and the tooth it is performed on does not die or turn black, despite what you may have been told!

At Walkerston Dental, our team has helped many patients by relieving dental abscesses with root canals and our dentist Walkerston can assure you that this process may actually help extend the longevity of your smile; not kill the teeth or cause discomfort! At Walkerston Dental, we pride ourselves on our level of patient care, so if you are worried about a root canal, visit our team for straightforward and easy treatment.

But what exactly happens when a root canal is performed? Our dentist Walkerston breaks down the procedure in the following jargon-free steps for your information.

Numbing and drilling

First things first, before the procedure begins, our dentist Walkerston will numb the area to prevent discomfort, however, pressure during this process is common.

Using a small drill, our team will drill down towards the root of your tooth, creating a canal by which we can see the infected pulp. Depending on how many roots your teeth have, this may be a single hole or 2 and can take upwards of 20 minutes to complete.

Widening

Once the hole is created, our team will use specialist brushes to widen the hole enough for the treatment to progress.

Again, this process can be extensive depending on how many roots require filling or if your roots are slanted; it is surprisingly common how often we see that! Once widened, we can move on to the cleaning.

Cleaning

This stage can involve brushes and suction and can be spread over 2 appointments.

However, it is in this stage that we seek to remove the infected pulp from the tooth, eliminating the infection and enabling the tooth to heal. Again, this process can take up to an hour.

Filling

Once the infected pulp has been removed and we have cleaned the canal, our team will begin the rather fiddly process of filling the canal.

This is done using a specialist packing agent, which ensures that your hollow tooth is protected and is also durable.

Crowns and fillings

Once the packing has reached the surface, we will top the canal off with either a crown or a filling to add strength to the outside of the tooth. With correct care, your root canal will last an average of 7 years and will keep your smile gap-free! Great stuff!

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.