Toshidental

Despite its success and long history among dental surgeries, it is one of the most unliked of all dental procedures; the root canal.

Used to treat teeth that have recently become infected or have had the pulp exposed through a trauma, a root canal is a fairly simple procedure by which your dentist near Sydney CBD removes the infected debris. So, why is it so universally despised?

There are a few theories! The first is that as it is associated with infections or other uncomfortable dental procedures, it has been unfortunately linked to discomfort. Another theory is that it as it is a form of general dentistry, it is rarely spoken about.

So, if you need a root canal performed and have some queries, read on for answers to 5 of the most commonly asked FAQs about the process.

How does it remove the infection?

OK, so the first thing to understand about a root canal is how it is performed.

Your dental team will numb the area and then drill directly down into the root(s) of your teeth with a thin drill. Using a set of dental files, this hole is widened to make room for the cleaning brushes. Then, very gently, the infected debris is removed from the root(s) of the teeth, while the area is intermittently sprayed with antiseptic liquid.

Once all the bacteria is removed, the hole is filled with a putty-like substance and is topped off with either a crown or filling.

Does it kill the tooth?

A root canal does not kill your tooth.

While your dental team is removing the infection, they may inadvertently remove some of the nerves that are within your tooth but this will not kill it.

Once the treatment is complete, you will be able to ‘feel’ your tooth when you bite into things and chew; aesthetically the tooth will remain the same and will not turn black!

Is the tooth weaker due to the root canal?

Yes, it is, hence why your dental team will fill it with heavy putty-like material and why they will top it off with either a large filling or crown.

If you have concerns that your tooth requires more support, your dental team may even choose to fit a veneer on to it.

Does it need any specialised aftercare?

Following a root canal, you are likely to feel a bit of soreness underneath where the procedure was performed. But this should be temporary and should be manageable with over the counter pain relief.

Aside from being a bit gentler while the site heals, no, a root canal does not require any specialised aftercare.

How long will it last?

Root canals have excellent longevity and, provided that you maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dental team every 6 months for a check-up, they can last for the rest of your life without any issue or recurrence of the initial infection. So, it’s definitely a worthwhile procedure to have completed!

DISCLAIMER OFFSITE

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What to expect when visiting the Dentist in Harley Street

New or nervous patients

A visit to the dental clinic can be a daunting experience for some patients, sometimes due to fears or phobias and other times it can be due to nerves of attending somewhere new. Either way, the dental practice pays particular attention to the patient’s needs and therefore goes the extra mile to ensure the patient’s needs are understood and where possible, extra measures are taken to ensure a comfortable, stress-free environment is always maintained.

Providing the highest standards of dentistry begins with patient care and therefore the dental team and Dentist in Harley Street will always go the extra mile to provide an unrivalled service to each individual patient.

Preventive dentistry, beginning with appointments as a child.

Setting up excellent dental care begins in childhood and appointments from the age of around 6 months old are recommended. At 6 months old it is understood that teeth may not yet be visible on all children however, the appointments at this age allow the Dentist to begin the process of creating positive associations for the child. This is extremely important in dentistry as studies have shown that regular appointments from a young age help eliminate fears and phobias in the later stages of life.

In order to intercept the possibilities of decay early on, a safe and effective method used within the dental world is the use of fluoride applications on the teeth. This safe and effective paste is painted onto the surface of the child’s teeth and helps to mineralise the surface. Tooth coloured fissure sealants may also be applied to the biting surfaces which also helps prevent the build-up of decay. 

Along with the preventive fear method, regular appointments as a child ensure that dental decay does not have the opportunity to do long-lasting damage to the child’s teeth and gums. The development of underbites, overbites or crossbites can be spotted early allowing preventive methods to be implemented early on which in turn will reduce the need for more complicated procedures later in life.

Other types of Preventive Dentistry.

Whilst regular appointments during childhood provide excellent methods of preventive care this approach to dentistry is continued throughout adulthood using services such as the dental hygienist and periodontist (treatment of gum disease). These appointments combined with regular check-ups ensure that all measures to protect the teeth and gums are in place as it is one of the most used parts of the body but can be an afterthought when it comes to caring for it.

Other services offered to prevent serious detrimental impacts on the teeth are appointments for tooth clenching, the grinding of teeth and many other dental problems. Using the regular check-up appointments combined with these services enables the best care possible before too much damage is done.

Please note, all dental treatments and procedures carry potential risks. It is therefore advised that all patients seek further information and advice on any mentioned in this … Read More..