Our dental clinic is open and you can read our COVID-safe procedures here.
We have unfortunately had to temporarily stop our beauty treatments in line with Government regulations. All existing appointments will be rescheduled.
Our dental clinic is open and you can read our COVID-safe procedures here.
We have unfortunately had to temporarily stop our beauty treatments in line with Government regulations. All existing appointments will be rescheduled.
If you’re experiencing severe dental pain, it can leave you wondering whether you need a filling or a root canal treatment. You may decide to wait it out and see whether the pain will go away on its own. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to happen.
Severe dental discomfort is often a sign of infection. Bacteria may have entered your tooth through a damaged or decayed area. Once inside, the infection causes inflammation in the living tissue at the centre of your tooth. This living tissue extends down into the root canals of your teeth.
If you’re in any doubt, it’s vital to seek professional advice. While you might feel nervous about treatment, the infection will get worse if it’s not treated promptly.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the tell-tale signs of an infected root canal, and explain the treatment process.
Dental infections can creep up on you. What begins as sensitivity can quickly become a throbbing pain. You may find that anything too hot or too cold causes discomfort. When you bite down, this can also cause pain.
The gum around the tooth can become inflamed. When this happens, you may notice visible swelling and experience tenderness at the gum line.
Bad breath often also comes hand-in-hand with dental infections. You may also have pus around the tooth. As the infection progresses, your tooth will start to appear darker and it may abscess.
A root canal (endodontic) treatment removes all of the dental infection and saves the tooth. The procedure is straightforward, and we’ll manage any discomfort using anaesthetic. We use the latest technology and methods to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Following a thorough examination including x-rays, we’ll thoroughly remove any infected matter from the tooth and steralise inside.
Next, we’ll place a material called “gutta-percha” into the tooth to fill the area. Finally, we’ll restore the outer shell of the tooth using a filling.
Dental crowns are often used to create a firm coating for your newly-healed tooth and protect it from further infection.
If you’re anxious about your root canal treatment, you may wonder whether it would be easier and less painful to have the tooth removed. While extractions are typically brief procedures, you will ultimately lose your tooth.
The aim of a root canal infection is to preserve your tooth. Losing a tooth puts you at increased risk of other problems like further infections, tooth movement, and jaw bone deterioration.
If you ignore the infection, it will get worse. Even if you lead a busy life, it’s important to come and see us sooner, rather than later.
Untreated, your dental infection will kill the tooth. An abscess will form, and the infection will spread. A problem affecting a single tooth can soon put neighbouring teeth at risk. The infection could also harm your gums and jaw.
Dental infections can also move onto other parts of your body. An infection could enter the bloodstream, leading to sepsis. This serious condition can be life threatening as it will affect vital organs such as the heart.
Root canal infections are not pleasant, but with the proper treatment, we can quickly relieve your pain and discomfort. If you’re questioning whether you need our help, it’s always best to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Get in touch today to schedule your appointment.
Dartford
Rugby
