Repair infected teeth with Root Canal Treatment in Mill Hill

Sometimes teeth become damaged - most commonly from a cavity, gum disease, a chip or fracture, leaving the insides vulnerable to bacterial infection. This infection may reach the root canal of the tooth and become very painful.

Root canal treatment is a common and highly successful treatment used to remove and clean out the infection from the tooth. At our dental clinic in Mill Hill, you will meet with one of our skilled and caring dentists who will talk you through the treatment. If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know! We’ll do all we can to put you at ease, relieve your pain, and restore your dental health.

Do I need root canal treatment?

The following signs indicate that you may need root canal treatment:

• You’re in mild, moderate, or severe pain
• Your teeth have discoloured
• Your gums are red, swollen, and irritated

An infected root canal can be painful in a number of different ways:

• The pain ranges from mild to severe
• Your tooth may throb or ache
• The pain may be brief or last for hours at a time
• The pain changes depending on your posture (e.g. sitting, standing, bending down)
• It may be random, or triggered by chewing, biting, or tapping the tooth
• It may be set off by hot or cold drinks

If you think you may need root canal treatment, please contact our dental practice in Mill Hill right away. If the infection isn’t treated immediately, it can spread to the head and neck and require extensive medical treatment. The tooth may also need to be removed and replaced with a dental implant or bridge.

What causes the pain?

Root canals are home to dental pulp - the nerve fibres, lymph tissues, and blood that comprise the lifeline of the tooth. Infection kills off the dental pulp, which in turn triggers the body’s inflammatory responses. Together, the inflammation and infection triggers a severe toothache.

What does treatment involve?

Step 1: Your private dentist in Mill Hill will numb the infected tooth and drill a hole into it in order to access the root canal.

Step 2: Special instruments are used to remove infected dental pulp and debris from the root canal.

Step 3: The canal is shaped and then filled with a material called gutta-percha, which works to seal the tooth off from further infection.

Step 4: One of our skilled dentists in Mill Hill will place a temporary filling over the opening of the tooth root.

Step 5: A permanent replacement crown is used to restore full form and function back to the tooth.

What about after-care?

Your Mill Hill dentist will advise you on how to look after your mouth after root canal treatment. Here are some tips for a fast recovery:

• Brush and floss your teeth as usual
• Avoid hard, crunchy, and sugary foods
• Don’t smoke

Are you in need of root canal treatment? Book your appointment at Chase Lodge Dental today.