‘What is a root canal exactly?’ This is the question you might well be asking yourself right now. Well friend, firstly well have to explain a little bit about the make-up of the tooth itself: A tooth can be divided in to the ‘outer crown’ and the ‘inner root’ which tethers your tooth to your jawbone. These two parts themselves contain the more intricate make-up of the tooth, with the crown featuring the visibly exposed enamel and your tooth’s innards containing the soft living tissue that is dental pulp. The root canal system extends all the way from the outer enamel, through the pulp and right down to the root of your tooth.

So why would I need root canal treatment?

Well… Bacteria is always present in the mouth. Should this bacteria ever make its way past your enamel and into the tooth’s pulp, then your tooth has become infected. This is not only excruciating, but can also lead to losing the tooth in question. Root canal treatment is essentially an attempt to clean out the bacteria from your tooth and save it.

How does a tooth become infected?

For bacteria to reach the tooth’s pulp, the outer crown has to be broken through. This is often the result of tooth decay or a leaked filling.

So what happens during root canal treatment?

Well, firstly you will be given a local anaesthetic and then a rubber dam will be placed around the site of infection. Your infected pulp will be then be removed and any abscesses will be drained. Your root canal system itself will also be given a thorough cleaning and will then be closed up. A provisional filling will then be fitted over your tooth. It will be necessary for you to return for a second appointment so that we can ensure your infection has not come back. If everything is fine, then you will be fitted with permanent filling.

Will it hurt?

The anaesthetic will mean you won’t feel anything during the actual procedure. Your tooth might be a little tender or uncomfortable post-treatment, but this should quickly die down. A temporary ache is also preferable to the agony an infected tooth will wreak! Contact the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Carrickmines for more information on root canal treatment.