Root Canal Treatment
Maryhill Smile Care in Glasgow offer an extensive range of dental services, including root canal treatments.
Find out more about the treatments that we provide:
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth, known as the pulp, is infected through decay or injury.
In the early stages of infection you may not feel any pain. In most cases the tooth will darken in colour, which would suggest that the nerve of the tooth has already died or in the process of dying, meaning that in order to preserve the tooth, root canal treatment may be required.
Root canal treatment in the past has had a poor image and patients often express concern that they have heard the procedure can be unpleasant, however, modern endodontics, carried out with state of the art equipment, means that Root Canal Treatment is now a predictable and virtually pain free procedure.
Why is Root Canal Treatment needed?
When the pulp becomes infected, the infection spreads through the root canal and may cause an abscess (gumboil). An abscess is a localised area of pus around the tooth.
An abscess can cause facial swelling and severe pain, which if left untreated, may result in the tooth having to be taken out.
Does Root Canal Treatment hurt?
Local Anaesthetic is used to relieve the sensation of pain, however in some cases the patient may feel minimal discomfort. Having Root Canal treatment should feel no different to having an ordinary filling done.
There may be some tenderness following the procedure, but this should gradually decrease over time.
What does Root Canal Treatment involve?
Root canal treatment usually involves two visits:
At the first visit, the infected tissue is removed and any abscess will be drained. The root canal is then cleaned and a temporary dressing is placed until the next visit.
At the second visit, the temporary dressing is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped to receive the permanent filling.
