What Is A Root Canal? 

Endodontics, or root canal as it is commonly called, is an area of dentistry focused on the inner pulp of the tooth. 

Your teeth are made up of sections: 

• The crown is the portion of the tooth above the gum. 
• The root is the portion of the tooth below the gumline. 
• The outside of your tooth is called the enamel – this is a protective layer, like armour for your teeth. 
• The next layer of your tooth is called dentine. 
• The innermost layer of your tooth is called the pulp. This is where the nerves and blood vessels supply each tooth. 

When the inner pulp of your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it is important to have the infected tissue removed to preserve the rest of the tooth and stop the infection or inflammation from worsening. We do this with a root canal. 

Why Would I Need A Root Canal? 

Infections and inflammation of the pulp occur when the pulp becomes exposed to bacteria. 

This can be caused by a number of things such as: 

• Tooth decay
• A poorly placed filling
• Oral trauma

How Do I Know I Need A Root Canal? 

Infections and inflammation of the pulp come with many signs and symptoms that you might need a root canal. 

These include: 

• Extreme Sensitivity 
• Swelling around the infected tooth
• An abscess or pus
• Looseness of a certain tooth
• Tenderness of a certain tooth – especially when pressed
• Pain and sensitivity – especially when eating or drinking anything hot 

Sometimes, you may have an infection that requires root canal without noticing any of these symptoms, which is why regular dental checkups are vital to preserve your oral health. 

You may even find that the pain disappears and think that you no longer have a problem – but this is actually a sign of the condition worsening. As the infection or inflammation worsens, the pulp inside your tooth will begin to die. If you experience any pain that you suspect may be an infection that requires root canal, do not delay treatment, as this will only make your case more complex in the long term and cause more extensive damage to your teeth. 

See a dentist about any pain you are concerned about. If your dentist suspects you need a root canal, they may need to identify the area of the infection and the severity with an x-ray. 

How Is A Root Canal Performed? 

Hopefully, if you maintain good oral hygiene practices, you will never need to have the dreaded root canal, but if you do need a root canal, don’t worry – it’s not as scary as it sounds! 

After we administer local anesthetic, the tooth is isolated and the nerve is accessed through the top of the tooth. Using rotary files and irrigation, the canal space is cleaned out and disinfected. We then fill the canal space with a special filing material. We normally use magnifying loops and sometimes a microscope to undertake the root canal treatment.  

My Dentist Has Referred Me For Root Canal Treatment, What Should I Do?

Most dentists are trained to undertake root canal treatments. However, depending on the complexity of the roots, sometimes, it is necessary to refer a patient to another dentist who has undertaken special training to perform advanced root canal treatments. At Synergy Dental, we accept referrals made by local and national colleagues to undertake root canal treatments. You can also self-refer by contacting our clinics directly.