Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp of the tooth becomes infected, either through decay or injury. The pulp is the soft bit inside the tooth, and runs right through the root, carrying the nerve supply and nutrients. When it becomes infected, that infection can spread throughout the root canal system of the tooth, and can cause an abscess which is usually extremely painful.

Abscess with swelling

The toxins produced by the abscess in the infected tooth find their way into the bloodstream and are capable of causing disease within organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, etc.

Abscess is a central focus

If left untreated the infection can lead to damage around the bone of the tooth, and the tooth is likely to have to be removed.

For root canal treatments we will refer you to a local endodontic specialist.

After the completion of root canal treatment, sometimes a filling will be all you will need, but often the root canal treatment weakens the tooth and it will need strengthening with crown or an inlay (when more than half of the tooth biting is damaged, we suggest for our patients an inlay. The inlay resembles a filling, in that it fills the space remaining after the decayed portion of the tooth has been removed. The difference is that an inlay (usually of ceramic) is shaped outside the patient's mouth and then cemented into place with dental cement.

Dental plaque causes gum inflammation which can make teeth become loose and eventually make them fall out.

Gold Inlay