What is a root canal? A short guide from our dentist

If you have ever had the misfortune to suffer from a dental infection, based on the condition of the tooth that was infected, you would have had a choice of two kinds of treatment. For a severely decayed tooth, you would have been offered an extraction and for a tooth that is in better condition, a root canal.

But, sadly, even those who have teeth that are in good condition often opt for extraction, because root canals are still considered undesirable!

At Cannon Street Dental Centre, we are proud of our cosmetic team, but we are also huge advocates of general dental care and when you come to see our dentist in London with a diseased tooth, we will always opt for the best way to preserve and save it, which in the case of an infection, would usually mean a root canal.

So, with that in mind, why would you need a root canal? And why are so many people worried about this procedure?

Read on for a short guide from our dentist in London.

What is a root canal?

When our dentist in London tells you that you need to have a root canal, the easiest way to picture it is as a very deep filling.

Indeed, the procedure itself is very similar; our team will numb your gum, drill a hole, fill the hole and top it. But the only difference is that with a root canal, the hole that is drilled goes down to the root of the tooth, and our team will then remove the infected debris. Once cleared, this area is filled with a sterile gum material called gutta-percha and then the hole is topped with a crown or filling.

Why you would need a root canal

As mentioned before, a key reason why you would need a root canal is if you are suffering from a dental infection.

Alternatively, our team may choose to perform one to prevent an infection from occurring in a tooth that is badly damaged by trauma or, in very rare instances, a root canal may be offered to help with extreme dental sensitivity.

Aftercare

Once the root canal is performed, the area is likely to feel sore and bruised for a few days. This should fade as the days go by, but if the discomfort increases or you feel ill, or there is swelling, you need to contact our team as soon as possible.

Root canals and cosmetic dental care

Root canals can be performed on teeth that are being moved by aligners or braces, and can even be performed on teeth that have a veneer attached to the front of them.

However, if you are aiming to have your teeth whitened after a root canal, aim to wait at least 2 months, as the area is likely to be sore and healing.

Longevity

Provided you attend regular check-ups with our team (every 6 months) your root canal should easily last the rest of your life, without the abscess or infection recurring.