Root Canal Treatment: Saving Your Natural Tooth in Brighton
The words "root canal" often conjure up images of discomfort, but for many patients experiencing severe tooth pain, this treatment is a true hero, providing much-needed toothache relief and preserving a natural tooth that would otherwise be lost. At Brighton Dental Group, your trusted Brighton dentist at 313 New Street, Brighton, we want to assure our new patients and the entire community that modern root canal treatment is a routine and highly effective procedure, designed to be as comfortable as a regular filling.
What is a Root Canal?
At the centre of your tooth is the pulp, a soft tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If this pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or trauma, it can cause significant pain and swelling. Left untreated, the infection can spread, leading to an abscess and eventual tooth loss.
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, involves carefully removing the infected or inflamed pulp, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then filling and sealing it to prevent further infection. The tooth is then typically restored with a filling or a crown to protect it and restore its function.
Why is Root Canal Treatment So Important?
The primary goal of a root canal is to save your natural tooth. While extraction is always an option, preserving your natural tooth offers numerous benefits:
Maintains Natural Appearance: Keeping your own tooth means your smile retains its natural look.
Efficient Chewing: Your natural tooth functions just as well as it did before, allowing for comfortable and efficient chewing.
Protects Adjacent Teeth: Saving your tooth avoids the need for adjacent teeth to shift, which can happen after an extraction.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run: While an extraction might seem cheaper upfront, replacing a missing tooth with a bridge or implant often incurs higher costs and more appointments over time.
Prevents Spread of Infection: Eliminating the infection in the tooth prevents it from spreading to other parts of your mouth or even affecting your overall health.
Debunking Root Canal Myths
One of the biggest misconceptions about root canals is that they are extremely painful. In reality, the procedure relieves the pain caused by the infection, and with modern anaesthetics and techniques, the treatment itself is no more uncomfortable than having a deep filling. Your Brighton dentist will ensure you are completely numb and comfortable throughout the process.
The Root Canal Process at Brighton Dental Group
At our clinic on New Street, serving patients from Brighton East, Hampton, and those searching for a "dentist near me" on Bay Street or Church Street, we ensure a precise and comfortable endodontics procedure:
Diagnosis: We'll examine your tooth using X-rays and other diagnostic tools to confirm the infection and determine if a root canal is the appropriate treatment.
Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia will be administered to numb the tooth and surrounding area completely.
Pulp Removal: A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth, and the infected pulp is carefully removed from the pulp chamber and root canals.
Cleaning and Shaping: The inside of the canals are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling.
Filling and Sealing: The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha, and sealed to prevent re-infection.
Restoration: A temporary filling is placed to seal the opening. In most cases, a dental crown is then placed over the treated tooth to provide strength, protection, and restore its full function and appearance.
Don't Delay – Seek Toothache Relief Today!
If you're experiencing persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling, or tenderness in your gums, it's crucial to see your local dentist promptly. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more serious problems and potentially the loss of your tooth.
Contact Brighton Dental Group today. We welcome new patients and are ready to provide expert root canal treatment to alleviate your pain and save your natural tooth. Your oral health is our priority, and we're here to help you maintain a healthy, pain-free smile.