Endodontics is a branch of dentistry concerned with treating the inside of a tooth. It is more commonly referred to as root canal treatment.

Endodontic treatment removes infected or damaged tissue from inside the tooth. The part of the tooth visible in the mouth is called the crown. Inside the crown is a structure called the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber contains soft tissue consisting of nerves and blood vessels that nourish the tooth.

Endodontic treatment involves the removal of this soft tissue, cleaning and disinfection of the root canal space and then filling and sealing the root canal space and tooth.

The pulp/nerve tissue inside the tooth can be damaged or compromised for different reasons. This can lead to pain and eventually abscesses from the tooth. The most common reason is if the pulp is exposed to bacteria. This is most commonly from tooth decay or the presence of a crack in a tooth.

The pulp may also be damaged due to trauma to the tooth or a previous deep filling.

That depends on several factors, e.g. which tooth is to be treated, the access to the tooth, the degree of infection and whether any previous endodontic treatment has been performed.

At Bridge Dental, we usually do the treatments over one or two appointments, but we will let you know if we think further appointments may be necessary.

Current research suggests that if the tooth being treated is restored with a crown, the tooth can last for many years post-treatment. The prognosis for every tooth is variable but is also influenced by good oral and dental care, good oral hygiene and periodic dental check-ups.

At Bridge Dental we pride ourselves on being able to offer virtually pain-free dentistry. We have a reputation for empathetic and gentle care, which applies to all areas of treatment.

We use a very effective local anaesthetic so there is no pain during the treatment.

We also provide amazing DVD glasses so you can watch various entertainment to provide distraction during the treatment.

After the treatment, some patients can experience some discomfort, but this is usually alleviated with over-the-counter painkillers.

The alternative to root canal treatment is extraction of the tooth. This option and any subsequent treatment plan can be discussed with your own dentist or at the endodontic consultation

Before committing to a course of endodontic treatment for a tooth, several factors must be considered.

The roots’ length and shape are assessed, and the future ability to adequately restore the tooth with a crown afterwards.

We will only carry out the treatment if the long-term future for the tooth outlook is favourable. This will be discussed at your endodontic consultation appointment.

Endodontic treatment can have a success rate of up to 90% if carried out to a high standard. Problems can occur if the tooth develops decay, if the restoration on top of the tooth fails or sometimes despite good endodontic treatment, the tooth may not heal as expected. In such cases further endodontic treatment or surgery may be carried out if appropriate.