Ins & Outs Of The Dental Procedure
Keeping a good oral hygiene and having regular check-ups of your teeth is essential for preventing tooth decay and infections. However, sometimes dental treatments are unavoidable as a result of previous dental problems and health conditions or simply because of the normal aging process we go through.
That is why Berkeley Clinic Glasgow provides a wide range of quality dental services tailored to the needs of our patients. One of these services is the Root Canal Treatment that is professionally executed, with extreme care so you won’t feel a thing. To provide you with more information on the procedure we collected some key topics connected with root canal treatment and explained them below.
Structure of the tooth
Each tooth consists of a crown and a root. The outer layer of the crown is called enamel and has a protective function. It is actually the hardest substance in the human body.
The dentin is the inner layer of the crown. It is softer than the enamel and has a similar structure to bones. It also contains some of the nerves of the tooth which are responsible for signalling pain.
The pulp is the soft tissue of the tooth that is situated in the root canals. It is made of nerves and blood vessels and is the central part of the tooth, protected by the dentin and enamel.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is a dentistry procedure involving the removal and cleaning out of the nerve canals situated inside the root of a tooth. This treatment is done by a dentist when a tooth is infected or damaged and there is no other way to treat it. In the past infected or damaged teeth were directly removed, but nowadays, the root canal treatment allows such procedures to be avoided.
The decaying of the infected pulp and tissue will require the narrow root canals to be emptied and cleaned. These are then filled with material which reduces the pain and prevents the recurring of the infection.
Why is root canal treatment needed?
When the root canals of a tooth are infected this could be very painful and could prevent you from your normal daily activities (eating your favourite food, drinking, etc.). The infection is caused by oral bacteria that has penetrated the enamel and dentin and has caused the decay of the pulp. As the root canals contain all the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth this process of decay can be very painful. Root canal treatment is needed when:
- Bacteria has entered the pulp, making it vulnerable to infections
- The tooth has developed a crack or chip, allowing bacteria to enter
- A tooth has become infected after an old filling has fallen off, exposing the inner tooth
If the root canals are not treated the infection can spread to your gums and cause an abscess, which is very painful and could lead to the loss of the tooth. Fortunately the root canal treatment is quite easy and painless, especially when done professionally.
How does the root canal treatment work?
The procedure of removing the pulp, treating the root canals and closing the tooth can take a couple of appointments to complete. The first appointment will consist of removing the pulp and cleaning the root canal, to remove the current infection. The tooth will then be left and checked for recurring infections and will be treated in the future if required. If the infection is gone the tooth can be filled permanently. A crown can be made to strengthen the tooth.
Many patients are worried that the procedure might be painful. However, the root canal treatment is done under local anaesthetic which means that you would not feel a thing. Many patients report that it is similar to having a filling done.
How to prevent root canal treatment?
There is no alternative treatment once the pulp has been infected and started to decay. However, there are some simple steps that could be undertaken to prevent root canal and all these involve keeping a good oral hygiene. These include:
- Regularly brushing your teeth. It is recommended to do that twice a day or after every meal to ensure that the teeth are kept clean and the enamel is strong.
- Flossing your teeth could also be extremely helpful. By flossing you can remove the plague and bacteria that is between your teeth or between your teeth and gums. This improves your overall oral hygiene and could prevent gum disease and irritation.
- Regular visits to the dentist. These could help identify problems early and could eventually save you a lot of pain and money.
- Proper diet and healthier living. Reducing the coffee, wine, sugar and similar foods can be extremely beneficial in protecting your teeth from acids and potential decay. The same goes for smoking as tobacco can stain your teeth and destroy their enamel.
Root Canal Treatment in Glasgow
If you need root canal treatment in Glasgow then Berkeley Clinic Glasgow can help. We are an award winning dental clinic in Glasgow with an extensive portfolio of dental services and years of experience. Our team is made of some of the best dentists in Glasgow and we are proud to deliver excellent service to all our patients.
In addition to expertly done root canal treatment we also provide quality dental treatments including teeth whitening, ceramic veneers, ceramic crowns and dental implants, among others. As a renowned cosmetic clinic we also offer aesthetic treatments such as semi-permanent make up, cosmetic surgery and facial aesthetics that meet the requirements of the most demanding customers. If you are ready to take the next step to a healthier and happier life, then contact us today to make a booking or to learn more about our extensive range of dental services.
Tags: how much is root canal treatment, pain after root canal, root canal, root canal cost, root canal pain, root canal procedure, root canal treatment, root canal work, what is a root canal, what is root canal treatment