Root Fillings Bury St Edmunds
If you have a tooth infection or an abscess, root fillings (also known as root canal treatment) can save the tooth and restore its function. At Sycamore Dental, our experienced dentists offer root filling treatments to help you keep your teeth for longer.
Keep your Tooth for longer with a root filling
The aim of root canal treatment is to remove inflamed or infected tissue from within the roots of the tooth and fill the space so that bacteria cannot grow back.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
- Pain relief: It eliminates the pain caused by pulp infection or inflammation.
- Tooth preservation: The procedure allows the natural tooth to be saved, avoiding the need for extraction.
- Prevents the spread of infection: Removing the infected pulp prevents the infection from spreading to surrounding teeth or bone.
A successful root canal allows you to retain your natural tooth, maintain proper chewing function, and preserve your smile.
The steps of a root canal treatment
Most teeth can be treated over two appointments.
- Diagnosis: X-rays are taken to assess the extent of the infection or damage to the pulp and surrounding areas.
- Anaesthesia: The area around the affected tooth is numbed using local anaesthesia, making the procedure painless.
- Accessing the Tooth: The dentist drills an opening into the top of the tooth to access the infected or damaged pulp inside.
- Removing the Infected Pulp: The infected or dead pulp is carefully removed from the pulp chamber and root canals using special instrumentation.
- Cleaning, shaping and filling: The root canals are cleaned and disinfected to remove any bacteria and debris. Antibacterial solutions are used to ensure the canals are free from infection.
- The root canals are shaped to prepare them for filling. This ensures the filling material can be properly placed and sealed.
- The cleaned canals are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, which seals the canals and prevents future infection.
- Temporary or Permanent Filling: The opening in the tooth is closed with a temporary or permanent filling. If a temporary filling is used, a permanent restoration (like a crown) will be placed later.
- Crown or Restoration: In most cases, a dental crown is placed over the tooth to restore its strength and appearance. This is because a tooth that has undergone a root canal becomes more fragile.
Signs you might need a root filling
The usual signs include:
Persistent toothache
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
Tenderness on biting
For more information on root canals see the British Endodontics Society Website
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Check-ups FAQs
The aim of root treatment is to treat infection or inflammation and help you keep your tooth for longer. Teeth may be damaged from decay, deep filings, crowns or cracks. In some cases, this leads to irreversible damage to the nerve of the tooth (known as the pulp) resulting in persistent pain, tenderness or swelling.
In most cases, the only alternative to root canal treatment is extraction of the tooth. Leaving an inflamed, infected tooth may result in an abscess, cyst, persistent pain or recurrent swelling.
A root canal treatment is a delicate procedure that requires specialised equipment. Experienced general dentists can carry out most root canal treatment. In cases of higher complexity (such as curved roots or complex anatomy) your dentist may recommend referral to a specialist practitioner (endodontist). Referral to a specialist may be the best option if your treatment is complex or is not progressing as expected. Specialist fees are generally higher that those charged by general practitioners. Current research puts the success rates for root canal treatment in the 85-97% region.[1]
As with any other surgical intervention there is a risk of pain, infection and inflammation. In most cases there is mild to minimal postoperative discomfort manageable with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. The risks can be minimised with careful technique but cannot be completely eliminated.
In most cases, it is possible to refer to a specialist for re-treatment. It is possible that the infection may persist, and the tooth may need to be extracted. In most cases root canal treatment will successfully resolve the infection and allow you to keep the tooth for longer.
A well-performed root canal treatment can last 5-15 years if properly maintained. The lifespan of the root treatment largely depends on the tooth’s structure and how well the tooth is restored after the procedure. It’s crucial to have a high-quality crown or filling placed after the root canal is performed to protect the tooth from future decay and damage.
While root canal treatment is highly effective at removing infection from the tooth's pulp, there is still a small chance that the tooth can become infected again in the future. This is more likely If the tooth wasn't thoroughly cleaned at the time of the treatment, if the filling or crown fails to seal the tooth properly, or if new decay forms. In such cases, a retreatment or surgery inside the tooth (endodontics) might be necessary to save the tooth.
After a root canal, it’s important to avoid heavy chewing or biting down on the treated tooth until it has been fully restored with a crown by your dentist. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly, will help keep the tooth and surrounding gum and bone healthy. Regular dental check-ups at Sycamore House Dental Practice are also required to monitor the condition of the treated tooth. tooth's pulp, there is still a small chance that the tooth can become infected again in the future. This is more likely If the tooth wasn't thoroughly cleaned at the time of the treatment, if the filling or crown fails to seal the tooth properly, or if new decay forms. In such cases, a retreatment or surgery inside the tooth (endodontics) might be necessary to save the tooth.
