Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment can significantly prolong the life of a tooth that would otherwise have had to be extracted. This is because a tooth, despite losing its nerve and blood supply following infection, can be successfully retained in the mouth following root canal treatment. Our team are equipped to save most teeth so long as there is sufficient tooth structure remaining to support a restoration.
Root canal treatment is necessary when the blood and nerve supply to the tooth (the ‘pulp') is infected or dies following decay or injury. If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth, eventually leading to an abscess. An abscess is an inflamed area which can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms caused range from a dull ache to severe pain, and the tooth may be tender on biting. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection may develop to a low-grade chronic inflammation and seeping around the tooth leading to eventual removal of the tooth. The aim of the treatment is to save the tooth by removing the bacterial contamination within the tooth, disinfection and sealing with a rubber like material called ‘gutta percha’.
Click here for Kate’s "RCT Explained"
Root canal treatment is carried out by all our dentists at the practice. In more complicated cases where teeth may present with very curved roots or where there is particular difficulty finding, cleaning and sealing very fine canal systems within the tooth, referrals can be made to Kate DeGroot, one of our dentists at the practice with post graduate training in this field. Kate has a wealth of experience at dealing with these more difficult cases, using specialist equipment here in Billingshurst- one example being an endodontic microscope.
Click here for Kate's Referral page
"The treatment received for root canal treatment by Kate was carried out to a very high standard. All the steps in the procedure were explained clearly, and I was made as comfortable as possible throughout each appointment. The outcome of the treatment has been very successful – I have had no further pain or problems and can eat as normal on the crown that was placed following the root canal treatment." - Alison
“Never having had a lot of major work done on my teeth in over 40 years I was extremely nervous about the prospect of root canal. The whole process was thoroughly explained to me and the work was carried out exactly how explained, the actual work itself whilst a little uncomfortable was pain free. The irritating tooth ache that had been building up over 6-9 months has gone, what a relief and thank you.” - Richard
