You need a root canal treatment (RCT). Your dentist has told you it's the best option for you to save your teeth! You feel terrible, don't know why this is happening to you and are freaked out!
Stay calm, don't panic and let Dr Jennifer Collins put you at ease........
Some people cringe when they hear the term, but it’s a commonly performed restorative dental treatment that can save a natural tooth from discomfort and a possible extraction. Learning more about the procedure, and separating fact from fiction, will help you have peace of mind if you require root canal treatment. Dr Jennifer Collins in Northumberland Dental Care offers restorative dentistry services for patients all over Ireland and is very skilled in delivering root canal treatment to her patients.
When a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, swift treatment is necessary to save the natural tooth and surrounding soft tissues. Dr Jennifer Collins focuses on providing quick root canal therapy with minimal discomfort when it counts.
When the pulp of a tooth (the soft tissues at the center of the inner tooth) faces inflammation or infection, root canal therapy alleviates the growing infection and internal pressure. Typically, patients notice the inflammation or infection through sudden, or slowly building, pain and sensitivity. The following are the most common types of discomfort felt with an infected tooth:
Dull, consistent pain in the tooth and jaw
Radiating pain with throbbing sensations from the tooth into the jawbone, ears, neck, or sinuses
Sensitivity to extreme temperatures
Intense pain when direct pressure is applied to the tooth
What to expect when you need a Root Canal Treatment
With a simple root canal procedure, patients are usually in and out of the examination chair in about two hours or less. If properly cared for and maintained, the treated tooth can last a lifetime. If you’re preparing for a root canal procedure, here are the basic treatment steps you can expect:
First, your dentist numbs the affected area. Patients may have the option of additional sedation medications during the procedure as well. Sedatives can help relieve anxiety and distress for those who may be worried about the procedure. They also help time pass more quickly for more detailed root canal therapy procedures.
A small opening is made on the crown of the inflamed or infected tooth.
The pulp is completely removed, as well as any soft tissues in the hollow canals that extend through the roots of the tooth.
Each hollow canal is cleaned and smoothed.
Your dentist fills the canals and the hollow space inside the tooth with a rubbery material.
Sometimes the RCT is completed over 2 appointments depending on its complexity and the level of infection.
A crown is recommended in almost all cases after the completion of an RCT
Dr Jennifer Collins may refer a patient to a specialist (called an endodontist) if a root canal treatment looks like it is too complicated to carry out within a general practice setting. Every situation is managed in a way that help the patient achieve the best result possible.
For any questions you may have, you can contact Dr Jennifer Collins on 016688441 or email her team on www.nidm.ie at Northumberland Dental Care, 58 Northumberland Rd, Dublin 4. #dentalcareireland#northumberlanddentalcare#oralhygiene#sugar#sugarytreats#toothbrushing#flouride#sweets#dentist#dentistdublin#dentistdublin4#diet#healthydiet#gumdisease#gingivitis#periodontitis #rootcanaltreatment #endodontist #toothache