Root Canal Balham

Several things can cause tooth infection, such as extensive decay from cavities, gum disease, broken fillings or crowns, damaged teeth from trauma or grinding your teeth. Root canal treatment can save an infected tooth; there is no need to extract and avoid more costly treatments in the future. But if the tooth can’t be saved with root canal treatment, you may need to have the tooth extracted, and options like a removable denture, fixed bridge, or implant may be considered a replacement.

After a root canal, a tooth is often weakened and needs extra support to prevent it from breaking. A crown or onlay is usually placed on the tooth to provide this support, but a crown may not be necessary if it’s a front tooth.

Visit a dentist for an examination to determine if you need a root canal. Pain can indicate the need for a root canal, but some teeth may require treatment even without symptoms. Only a dentist can accurately diagnose this.

Bad breath is often caused by gum disease, but other things could also cause it. Book an appointment at our clinic for an examination. Untreated tooth infections contain bacteria and can cause bad breath and a foul taste.

The main objective of root canal treatment is to remove microorganisms and disinfect the root canals. This involves:

• Drilling a small hole through the tooth into the pulp chamber.
• Locating and measuring the root canals.
• Cleaning and widening the canals. After cleaning a filling material is placed inside the canals to prevent further infection and help any abscesses to heal.

Antibiotics cannot clear up root canal infections. They may relieve symptoms temporarily but are not effective for long-term treatment. Our dental practice aims to provide active root canal treatment to minimise the need for antibiotics. Repeated use of antibiotics for endodontic infections can cause bacterial resistance.

Once a root canal is needed, book an appointment as soon as possible; delaying treatment reduces the chance of saving the tooth as the infection has more time to spread.

If left untreated, an infected tooth (dental abscess) can cause severe complications and pain and bone loss due to infection. Extraction is the alternative, but preserving natural teeth is usually best. We advise against extraction and recommend root canal treatment whenever possible.

Root canal treatment is painless because the area around the tooth is numb. Post-treatment discomfort is common but can be managed with pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol. If you have any concerns, our dental team can help.

Local anaesthesia is used throughout the procedure, and patients should not feel any discomfort or dental problems afterwards. Our clinic has advanced anaesthetic technology and expertise to make the experience comfortable.

Root canal treatment is successful in about 85-90% of cases. Nine out of 10 root-treated teeth last 8-10 years. While complications are rare, all oral surgery carries some risk. Our experienced team and state-of-the-art equipment at Direct Dental ensure highly consistent and predictable results.

If you experience any post-treatment pain or swelling, contact us immediately. In severely damaged teeth, tooth extraction and dental implants might be necessary, but we always try to save teeth with root canal treatment.

Post-Treatment Care and Maintenance

Maintaining good oral hygiene after a root canal is crucial. Schedule regular check-ups at the clinic to keep your teeth and gums healthy. We offer services to help you maintain oral health, including teeth straightening, stain removal, and teeth whitening.

Daily brushing and flossing are essential to prevent tooth decay, costly treatments, and dental emergencies. Proper oral care can also help prevent the need for future root canal treatments and keep your smile healthy.

By following these guidelines and visiting our clinic for regular examinations, you can ensure your teeth and gums remain in optimal condition.

• Root Canal: Treats the internal infection or damage of the tooth.
• Restorative Treatment: Restores the external structure and function of the tooth after the root canal.

Both are part of saving and preserving a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted due to severe decay or infection.