Cosmetic Dentists in Farnham, Surrey
Call us on: 01252 713797
Root Canal (Endodontic) Treatment
Endodontic treatment focuses on caring for the inside of your tooth. Teeth are covered in hard enamel below this enamel is an inner hard layer called dentine, which covers the pulp at the core of your teeth. Pulp contains all of the blood vessels and nerves that nourish our teeth. Damage to your teeth, (caused by decay or a crack) may allow the pulp to become infected with the bacteria in your mouth, causing inflammation and pain.
Infection to the pulp or roots of your teeth can cause a range of symptoms, including; increased sensitivity to hot or cold, tooth discoloration, swelling and tenderness of the gums; but some people experience no initial symptoms at all. Left untreated, inflammation or infection of the pulp will cause pain for most people, and usually result in an abscess and eventual loss of the affected tooth.
If bacteria and infection is present in the pulp of your tooth it is vital to remove all of the infection, clean the inside of the tooth and seal to prevent re-infection occurring in the future.
Using custom-made, disposable instruments, the dentist carefully makes a small hole in the enamel and dentine, allowing access to completely clean the inside of the tooth and remove all traces of infection. The space that has been left inside the tooth is filled with special endodontic materials and the tooth carefully monitored, to ensure that all infection has been eliminated. Once the area of gum around the affected tooth is completely healthy a cosmetic crown will normally be fitted, to restore your tooth to full function and protect it from breaking as you eat and chew.
The dentist who undertakes this treatment has taken extra postgraduate training in endodontics. He uses special equipment, which allows him to trace and clean the fine canals which can harbour bacteria inside the tooth. Dentists with postgraduate endodontic training are dedicated to preserving teeth that may otherwise need to be removed. We are one of the leading clinics in South East England and many other dental practices refer their patients to us for endodontic treatment.
Using custom-made, disposable instruments, the dentist carefully makes a small hole in the enamel and dentine, allowing access to completely clean the inside of the tooth and remove all traces of infection. The space that has been left inside the tooth is filled with special endodontic materials and the tooth carefully monitored, to ensure that all infection has been eliminated. Once the area of gum around the affected tooth is completely healthy a cosmetic crown will normally be fitted, to restore your tooth to full function and protect it from breaking as you eat and chew.
The dentist who undertakes this treatment has taken extra postgraduate training in endodontics. He uses special equipment, which allows him to trace and clean the fine canals which can harbour bacteria inside the tooth. Dentists with postgraduate endodontic training are dedicated to preserving teeth that may otherwise need to be removed. We are one of the leading clinics in South East England and many other dental practices refer their patients to us for endodontic treatment.
Severe pain in your teeth or gums... this could indicate a possible infection.
Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold drinks or food... a moment of pain, due to sudden temperature changes may be normal in your teeth, but if the pain lingers, you may need endodontic treatment to cure the problem.
Swollen gums... if your gums or jaw suddenly become painful or swollen this could indicate that you have an infected tooth, speak to your dentist as soon as possible, prompt treatment can usually eliminate the cause.
Persistent pain in your teeth or gums... your teeth should never hurt, even when you brush them vigorously. If you feel pain when you bite down hard on something, or chew tough food, speak to your dentist – you may have an infected tooth.
Teeth which have recently discoloured... a tooth which suddenly changes colour can indicate the presence of infection in the pulp and roots.
Pain on biting... this often indicates a cracked tooth, speak to your dentist, as your tooth may require endodontic treatment to save it.
Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold drinks or food... a moment of pain, due to sudden temperature changes may be normal in your teeth, but if the pain lingers, you may need endodontic treatment to cure the problem.
Swollen gums... if your gums or jaw suddenly become painful or swollen this could indicate that you have an infected tooth, speak to your dentist as soon as possible, prompt treatment can usually eliminate the cause.
Persistent pain in your teeth or gums... your teeth should never hurt, even when you brush them vigorously. If you feel pain when you bite down hard on something, or chew tough food, speak to your dentist – you may have an infected tooth.
Teeth which have recently discoloured... a tooth which suddenly changes colour can indicate the presence of infection in the pulp and roots.
Pain on biting... this often indicates a cracked tooth, speak to your dentist, as your tooth may require endodontic treatment to save it.
Is endodontic treatment painful?
We use modern techniques, pain numbing gels and fast-acting local anaesthetics, to ensure that our patients do not experience pain of discomfort during their endodontic treatment. If you are nervous or concerned about endodontic treatment we can offer various sedation options, which will leave you drowsy, comfortable and unaware of the treatment taking place.
For a few days after treatment your tooth may be tender and feel slightly different to surrounding teeth. Any pain or discomfort you experience as your teeth and gums heal can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers.
Will the treated tooth need any special care?
Until your treatment is completed and the protective crown in place, you should be careful to avoid subjecting your tooth to biting tough or chewy foods. A tooth which is being endodontically treated can be more susceptible to fracture, and will normally be crowned as soon as possible. If you have been referred to us for endodontic treatment, you will normally return to the care of your own practice for restorative work, including crowning or filling the treated tooth.
Are there any alternative to endodontic treatment?
If the pulp of your tooth has been damaged or infected the only alternative treatment option is to remove the entire tooth. To prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting, and fill the unsightly gap left, the missing tooth will need to be replaced with a dental implant, bridge or denture all of which are more expensive than endodontic treatment.
We will always try to save your natural teeth, and endodontic treatment is one of the best ways to restore infected teeth and keep them healthy in the future.
We use modern techniques, pain numbing gels and fast-acting local anaesthetics, to ensure that our patients do not experience pain of discomfort during their endodontic treatment. If you are nervous or concerned about endodontic treatment we can offer various sedation options, which will leave you drowsy, comfortable and unaware of the treatment taking place.
For a few days after treatment your tooth may be tender and feel slightly different to surrounding teeth. Any pain or discomfort you experience as your teeth and gums heal can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers.
Will the treated tooth need any special care?
Until your treatment is completed and the protective crown in place, you should be careful to avoid subjecting your tooth to biting tough or chewy foods. A tooth which is being endodontically treated can be more susceptible to fracture, and will normally be crowned as soon as possible. If you have been referred to us for endodontic treatment, you will normally return to the care of your own practice for restorative work, including crowning or filling the treated tooth.
Are there any alternative to endodontic treatment?
If the pulp of your tooth has been damaged or infected the only alternative treatment option is to remove the entire tooth. To prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting, and fill the unsightly gap left, the missing tooth will need to be replaced with a dental implant, bridge or denture all of which are more expensive than endodontic treatment.
We will always try to save your natural teeth, and endodontic treatment is one of the best ways to restore infected teeth and keep them healthy in the future.
If you have been referred for endodontic treatment by your own dentist, or you are one of our patients the endodontic consultation fee is £125. After this initial consultation you will be given a full treatment plan, outlining all of the appointments, and costs involved. Endodontic treatment routinely costs from £650 to treat a single tooth.
If you require a crown to restore the treated tooth to full-function, and are a referred patient, you will normally return to your own dentist for this treatment. If you are one of our patients, or do not have a regular dentist, restorative crowns routinely cost from £1,000 at our clinic.
If you require a crown to restore the treated tooth to full-function, and are a referred patient, you will normally return to your own dentist for this treatment. If you are one of our patients, or do not have a regular dentist, restorative crowns routinely cost from £1,000 at our clinic.
