What is a Root Canal and Why Might You Need One?
Hearing the words "root canal" can sometimes evoke apprehension, but understanding the procedure and its purpose can alleviate those fears. At Brighton Dental Group, your caring dentist in Brighton, we want to assure you that a root canal is a safe and effective treatment designed to save a severely damaged or infected tooth, allowing you to maintain your natural smile. If you're experiencing tooth pain and are in Brighton, Brighton East, Hampton, or the surrounding areas, understanding root canals could be the key to relieving your discomfort and preserving your tooth.
What is a Root Canal?
To understand a root canal, it's helpful to know the inner structure of a tooth. Beneath the hard outer layers of enamel and dentin lies the pulp. This soft tissue contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that nourish the tooth during its development. However, once a tooth is fully mature, it can survive without the pulp.
A root canal procedure becomes necessary when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed. This can happen due to:
Deep tooth decay: When decay reaches the pulp.
Cracked or chipped tooth: Allowing bacteria to enter the pulp.
Repeated dental procedures on a tooth: Which can sometimes damage the pulp.
Trauma to the tooth: Even if there's no visible crack or chip.
Why Might You Need a Root Canal?
Ignoring an infected or inflamed pulp can lead to severe pain, swelling, and the formation of an abscess (a pus-filled pocket). In the long run, it can also result in bone loss around the tooth and the need for tooth extraction. A root canal procedure aims to remove the infected or damaged pulp, clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, and seal it to prevent further infection. This allows you to keep your natural tooth, which is often the best option for maintaining your bite, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting, and preserving your smile's natural appearance.
The Root Canal Procedure at Brighton Dental Group:
As a dedicated local dentist in Brighton, we perform root canal treatments with precision and care to ensure your comfort and the success of the procedure:
Diagnosis: Our dentist will conduct a thorough examination, including X-rays, to assess the extent of the damage or infection and determine if a root canal is necessary.
Anesthesia: Before starting the procedure, we will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the surrounding area, ensuring you are comfortable throughout the treatment.
Accessing the Pulp: A small opening is created on the surface of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
Cleaning and Shaping: Using specialised instruments, the infected or damaged pulp is carefully removed, and the root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling.
Filling and Sealing: The cleaned and shaped root canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, and the opening in the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling.
Restoration: In most cases, a tooth that has undergone a root canal will need a crown to provide strength and protection. During a subsequent appointment, a custom-made crown will be placed over the treated tooth.
Is a Root Canal Painful?
Many people associate root canals with pain, but the procedure itself is typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The local anesthesia ensures that you remain comfortable during the treatment. The pain you might have experienced before the root canal was likely due to the infection or inflammation within the tooth. A root canal actually relieves that pain.
Saving Your Natural Tooth is Our Priority in Brighton:
At Brighton Dental Group, located conveniently on New Street, our goal is to help you maintain a healthy and natural smile for as long as possible. Root canal treatment is a vital procedure that allows us to save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling, or tenderness in your gums, don't hesitate to contact our experienced team. We are here to provide you with gentle and effective care. If you're searching for a "dentist near me" in Brighton who performs root canals, we welcome new patients and are committed to helping you find relief and preserve your natural teeth.