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Our root canal services in Swindon
By Patrick | July 13, 2008
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal
Why do I need root canal?
There are several reasons for root canal. The over-riding reason is that the nerve in the centre of the tooth is either giving problems, or as a result of dental treatment needed, it might give problems.
Extensive decay
With tooth decay there is a layer of bacteria which penetrates further than the actual destruction. Once the decay is near the nerve there will be bacteria contaminating the nerve. This causes inflammation, and pressure builds up inside the tooth. This pressure cuts of the blood supply to the nerve, and so the nerve dies. The throbbing sensation often felt is the pressure rising with each heart beat. That is why it can get worse with any exertion. It can also get worse whilst lying down, as the blood pressure to the head is increased.
Broken teeth
If you have an accident, or break a tooth biting into something hard, you can expose the tooth to the mouth. If this is simply a tiny spot, we can try simple fillings, if bigger, it is wise to have the tooth root treated, as it is likely to give problems
Following fillings or crown work
As mentioned above, the nerve can be contaminated by bacteria from decay. Often we can remove the decay but it is too late as the bacteria have penetrated too far. In addition, the removal of the decay will increase the inflammation inside the tooth. The combination of this and any bacteria can push the nerve over its limit.
In a similar manner, any extensive drilling, for example crown preparations, can cause inflammation which can cause the death of the nerve.
Prevention of later problems
If we have to cut teeth back very extensively, we can end up either reaching the nerve, or being exceptionally close to it. In these cases the tooth would almost certainly give problems afterwards, and we might then have to drill through a new crown, leaving it weaker. In these case we elect to root treat the tooth before the crown.
In a similar vein, if a tooth has consistently been given problems, and it needs crowned, we will root treat it first, as it is easier to get a good result.
As a comparison
You could build a house with uncertain foundations, and then underpin it at a later date, but it is far easier to simply get the foundations correct.
Why do I need to see an Endodontist?
Root canal dentistry is a distinct branch of dentistry, and it requires much specialist root canal equipment, and many unique skills. Some dentists choose to concentrate their skills on one area. Here at Seven Fields, Dr. Massimo Giovarruscio provides the root canal treatment, Dr. Holmes provides the cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Turri the Periodontics, (gums), Dr. Wilson the surgery and sedation, and Dr Seddon the dental implants. Your dentist may have areas of dentistry which he prefers, and may choose to leave certain areas to others.
It may also be that your dentist is happy to provide some root canal work, but will leave the more difficult cases, such as back teeth or re-treatments to a dentist with more experince.
What symptoms might indicate that I need root canal?
The symptoms of root canal do vary considerably, and if you are in doubt, you should consult your dentist. We do provide emergency appointments for non-registered patients. The symptoms of teeth needing root canal can include;
Sensitivity to hot and cold
If the sensitivity only lasts a few seconds, and is a sharp pain, you will probably just need a filling, but if the pain lasts more than a couple of minutes, tehcahnces are you need root canal work
Pain on biting
Pain on biting can be related to several dental issues, but if there is an abscess under a tooth, biting on the tooth puts pressure on the abscess, causing pain.
Swelling
Swelling around a tooth is most frequently associated with an infection. This infection can be from a root canal related infection, although there are other types of infection
Bitter Taste
Sometimes you can get an infection which connects with you mouth. You can then experience a nasty taste. Some people will notice a little spot that when pressed tastes nasty. Again this can also be related to other infections.
Constant Throbbing Pain
A constant throbbing is characteristic of an infection, which is under pressure. This is a very typical situation.
No symptoms at all
Sometimes the nerve can die, and give no pain what so ever. This is one of the reasons why dentists take routine x-rays, especially if they are thinking of crowning teeth
How will the dentist decide if I need root canal?
As mentioned above, there are many symptoms which can relate to root canal issues. Your dentist needs to take a history of your symptoms, examine the tooth, and probably take x-rays. It is then important to see if saving the tooth makes sense. It could be an isolated tooth at the back of your mouth, with curved canals, poor gums, and no tooth opposite. In this situation, having the tooth removed makes more sense. It might however be your front tooth, which has some decay, and can be easily treated, filled and saved.
Does it always work?
Root canal, when carried out by a skilled Endodontist carries a very high success rate, typically around 95% success after ten years. Initial treatments are more successful than re-treatments, and areas without chronic infection are more successful than those with one.
What are my options?
The typical options can be to remove the tooth, and either leave a gap, or replace the tooth with one of the options available. (You can get more detail of this in the Implant section under single tooth).
On occasion, we might look at a tooth, and decide that whilst technically the underlying root canal conditions are poor, the tooth is not giving any problems. In some circumstances we can keep the tooth under observation.
Is it always the best answer?
Now days there are many different options to root canal treatment. Typically we will look at how broken down the tooth is. An upper pre-molar tooth, (behind you canine or eye tooth), which is broken down to gum level, has two delicate roots, and has a degree of gum disease will have a poor prognosis compared to an implant, and the treatment to restore it might actually cost more. However in many situations, a root treated, restored tooth will carry a similar prognosis to an implant, the treatment will cost less, and it will take less time.
I already have a crown, can I have root canal work?
If you tooth is already crowned, we can often preserve the crown, by drilling through it. It is easier to obtain a good result by removing the crown, and so it the crown will need replaced anyway, we will remove it.
If it is going to be a technically difficult root canal, to give ourselves the best chances of success, we will often want to remove it. With back teeth we can sometimes remove the crown in a manner which allows us to replace it.
If there is a post down the tooth, we would almost certainly need to remove the crown to allow the removal of the post.
How do I see the Endodontist at Seven Fields
If you have no dentist;
Simply contact us, either by telephone or e-mail, using details either at the bottom of this page (click on e-mail), or using the side bar on the home page (click on Seven Fields on the top of the page). We prefer to arrange a full new patient consultation, but if you are experiences acute problems we can arrange an emergency appointment.
Dentist Referral
If you already have a dentist we do prefer that they refer you to Massimo. This helps us get any pertinent background details.
Self-Referral
If you do have a dentist, but would like us to carry out your root canal, we are delighted to limit the treatment to just the area in question.
I have had root canal with you can I join the practice?
We are delighted to accept new patients, however, if your dentist has referred you, our ethics require us to return you to your dentist. We also find that it is better if you can stay with your usual dentist who has the best long-term knowledge of your teeth.
Topics: Root Canal Swindon, Swindon Dentist |
August 16th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
October 10th, 2008 at 5:57 am
if i had a root canal and a crown placed 2 or 3 years ago why would i have bacteria under it and in the canal and be told the crown has to be removed and the bacteria cleaned out and maybe able to put a new crown?
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
Charlene,
Apologies for the delay, had some problems with the filtering of the comments….
If a tooth has a good root canal, but the crown has been ‘leaking’, then the root canal can deteriorate, and then both the crown and root filling need replaced. Alternatively, it could be that the root canal was not successful. Root canal is a very tricky and delicate procedure, which is why we have two endodontists, who do nothing but root canal.