Endodontics

Endodontics Surgery London Dental Treatment

Endodontics London Dental Treatment 

All of our dentists undertake endodontic treatment, also known as root canal treatment. Some of our dentists have a special interest in root canal treatment and are suitable to perform this complex procedure to a veritably highstandard.However, it can frequently be redone, If a root conduit treatment fails. A number of our Dentists are capable to carry outre-root canal treatment and if needed, apicectomies.

Root Canal Treatment

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Teeth are held in the jaws by their roots. Front teeth typically have one root, but teeth further back have further. At the core of each tooth is a soft mass of towel called the pulp. In a healthy tooth, the pulp contains living fibres, cells, nerves and blood supply, extending into the root (s) through the root conduit (s). Decay or injury can destroy the living pulp. Because dead pulp lacks a blood force, it's further prone to infection, leading to an abscess and toothache. Root canal treatment ( also known as root filling or endodontics) means removing damaged or dead pulp and filling the space left. The remaining tooth can also be repaired.

How is a Root Canal done? 

  • AnX-ray can show the number and shape of the root canals, and also signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Teeth can have a number of roots and some are easier to fill than others because of their shape.
  • To keep root conduits dry during treatment the dentist may stretch a sheet of thin rubber around the tooth, on a frame outside the mouth; this is called‘rubber dam’. Having this fitted makes the treatment safer.
  • You'll be given a local anaesthetic and also an opening is made through the top of the tooth, down into the pulp
  • The dentist also uses lines to remove the dead pulp from the core of the tooth and from the root canal. The dentist will also disinfect the root canal system.
  • At this point, the dentist may put in a temporary stuffing and if you'll have to return at a after date, formerly symptoms have settled, the dentist can complete the treatment
  • In the coming stage, the dentist fills the root canal . A filling can also be placed in the remaining cavity in the tooth. Some teeth which have root canal treatment performed will ultimately need a crown.
  • Root filled teeth can come darker than other teeth, but bleaching can be used to make them look lighter

What are the benefits?

  • Pulp damage can cause toothache but the pain will usually end very quickly when the root canal is cleaned out
  • Without a root filling, a tooth with a dead pulp would probably have to be taken out in the end. There's also a possibility of infection spreading beyond the tooth itself.

Root- fillings are usually successful and can last many years, butre-treatment is also possible if infection recurs. Occasionally, if inflammation persists at the tip of the root, surgery can be carried out to remove the end of the root. The area is also cleaned and a filling may be placed at the end of the root to seal the root. This is known as an‘apicectomy’.

Apicectomy

What is Apicectomy? 

Teeth are held in the jaw by their roots. At the core of each tooth is a soft mass of tissue called the dental pulp. In a healthy tooth, the pulp contains living fibres, cells, nerves and blood supply, extending into the root through the root canal . Tooth decay or injury can destroy the living pulp. The dead pulp is more prone to infection, leading to abscesses and toothache. 

This can usually be dealt with successfully by root canal treatment ( also known as root filling and endodontics). Sometimes an infection can persist at the end of a tooth root, in the surrounding bone. In this case, a dentist can carry out an apicectomy. Sedation We don't have an NHS contract for sedation. We do have dentists who offer sedation privately.

How is a Apicoectomy done?

  • Give you a local anaesthetic to numb the mouth around the infected tooth, so that the procedure is painless.
  • Make a small cut in the gum, well away from the tooth, so that there won’t be a visible scar afterwards;
  • Move a small flap of gum to one side, and make a small “window” in the bone, to uncover the infected area;
  • Clean out the infection and cut off the tip, or “apex”, of the root;
  • Put a small filling at the end of the root canal to stop any more infection; and
  • Stitch the gum back in place.

You may feel some pressure and hear instruments being used, but you should not feel any pain during an apicectomy.

After treatment you will need to keep the area clean.

  • For the first day, rinse with warm salt water several times a day, especially after meals. Use half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, not hotter than is comfortable.
  • Brush the teeth normally, but be very careful not to disturb the cut.
  • On the next day, continue rinsing and begin to gently brush the teeth next to the cut.

There may be some bruising and swelling for two or three days afterwards. There will also be some slight discomfort – an ice-pack or a frozen pack of peas wrapped in a towel applied to the outside of the face can help. It usually takes about a week for an apicectomy to heal.

Points to remember

  • An apicectomy can stop pain and swelling.
  • An apicectomy saves a tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted.