Root canal treatments seem to have more stigma attached to them than any other dental procedure. You will often hear people say "Oooh a root treatment, that's painful" or "I remember having a root canal done and it was excruciating".
This is not true! They really are not that bad and for those of you who really cannot tolerate the idea then you can always have some sedation to relieve your anxiety
This is not true! They really are not that bad and for those of you who really cannot tolerate the idea then you can always have some sedation to relieve your anxiety
Video showing Root Canal Treatment Procedure
Root Canal Treatment - why?
- The Nerve and blood supply inside your tooth is inflamed (irritated) to the point that, without it's removal, it will cause constant pain followed by repeated abscesses
- OR the Nerve and blood supply inside your tooth is already dead, bacteria from this dead tissue repeatedly makes its way out of the end of your tooth to form an infection or abscess underneath your tooth. This can be painful to bite on, may spread in your bone or soft tissues, may cause a facial swelling and may resorb (eat away) bone supporting the teeth so as they become loose!
- SO a Root Canal Treatment essentially removes the entire nerve and blood supply from inside the tooth, disinfects the inside of the tooth and fills the remaining space with inert soft filling material which will seal the tooth at the top and bottom so as to predictably and effectively stop the pain or infection and prevent from further pain and infection.
What do you need to be aware of?
- For predictably high success rates, your dentist will use a protective sheet called a rubber dam when performing your root treatment (see video above at 1 minute 40 seconds)
- This rubber dam not only protects your airway but prevents contamination of your tooth while it is being disinfected.
- If it is not possible to place a rubber dam then the chances of success are reduced and thought should be given to extraction of the tooth with subsequent replacement for a more predictable long term solution.
- Although the standard treatment is cheaper on the Health Service, your dentist may have more efficient and effective equipment that can be used on a private basis with higher chances of success so be sure to ask your dentist.
- Like anything, there is always a chance of failure with a root canal treatment but it should be a small chance and in difficult cases that your dentist is unable to undertake successfully there are specialists that can be referred to who may be able to successfully complete the treatment.
- Root treatments may be redone if they fail but the chance of success is lower than the initial root canal treatment.
Why does it take so long?
- Front teeth usually have one straight canal, back teeth can often have four, five or six canals that may interconnect or have curves in them.
- To clean all of this system effectively whilst preserving as much tooth structure as possible takes time and if not done properly then chances of success are greatly reduced. A root canals treatment may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours and sometimes require more than one appointment.
- To numb your mouth effectively, place rubber dam, remove all dead tissue, effectively disinfect and clean the inside of the tooth, dry the inside of the tooth, fill this system to form a seal and then restore over the top of this takes times; especially when done properly.
How much should it cost?
- The cost of root canal treatments can vary a lot from tooth to tooth and practice to practice.
- On theHealth Service in the UK it will cost you £51.30 (at time of writing article)
- On the Health Service in Northern Ireland it will cost you anywhere between £40 and £110
- Privately a root canal treatment will cost between £120 and £350 if done by a general dentist
- Privately a root canal treatment may cost upto £1000 if done by a root treatment specialist (An Endodontist)
- It is important to note that the cost of the filling, onlay or crown will be in addition to this root canal treatment fee.
Why might you also need a crown afterwards?
- A root canal treatment will usually be being carried out on a broken down tooth and as the root canal treatment removes an additional small amount of tooth structure, the biting surface of the tooth often needs complete coverage in order to protect it from future fracture
- This coverage will be achieved by Crown, Onlay or Direct Restoration (often in composite (white filling material))
- Without this coverage the tooth is at increased risk of fracture which would then make the root canal treatment a waste of time and result in the ultimate extraction of the tooth!
Why might you need referring to another dentist?
- Some teeth may be saveable but their root canal systems are too complicated to clean and fill effectively with standard equipment or general dentist skills.
- For these teeth; referral to a specialist endodontist who will have often undertaken an additional 3 year full time course based solely on root canal treatments is required.
- It is often the sign of a good dentist who recognises a case that is treatable but beyond their own capability and refers to a specialist. The majority of dentists are more than capable of treating the majority of cases and it is not a sign of your own dentists inability if they feel referring you to a specialist is in your best interest.
Root Canal - take home messages
- If you have constant or almost constant pain from a tooth then it may need a root canal treatment in order to save i
- If there is insufficient tooth structure remaining to restore the tooth properly after root canal treatment then it is often better to plan to extract and replace your tooth by other means
- If you are a health service patient, a private option may be available to give your root canal treatment a higher chance of success so ask your dentist about this.
- A root canal treatment should not be painful as you will be numb (unless you request not to be numbed)
- If you go to your dentist with toothache then you may get a small amount of discomfort at this initial appointment while the dentist relieves the pressure in your tooth (but it is less painful than constant toothache!)
- Following this relief of pressure; discomfort, if any, should be very minimal and your dentist may even numb the inside of the tooth once they have access to the inside of it to further numb the area.
- Root Canal Treatment is not a thing to fear and remember for those of you that are generally anxious at the dentist and need a little help in managing your anxiety - many dentists offer inhalation sedation or intravenous sedation to help you through your treatment.