There are probably few words in dentistry that create quite as much anxiety as "root canal". For many people, the phrase brings back stories from parents or grandparents about difficult dental experiences. Some of those stories may even begin with the words, "Years ago, dentists used to..." And that is the important thing to remember. Years ago, dentistry really was very different.
The root canal treatment carried out today at our Croydon dental practice is a world away from the procedures that patients may remember from previous generations. The basic aim remains the same – to remove infection from inside a tooth and save it where possible, but almost everything else has changed.
Despite what some patients believe, a tooth is not just a solid piece of enamel.
Inside every healthy tooth is a soft area called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. This is what allows us to feel sensations such as hot and cold and helps us to judge the pressure we apply when we are eating.
When decay, cracks or breakages allow bacteria to reach this area, the pulp can become infected. This can be very painful indeed, in certain situations.
In the past, there were far fewer options available. Once a tooth became badly infected, extraction was frequently the only realistic way of stopping the pain. The idea of saving a tooth rather than removing it was a major step forward in dentistry.
Evidence from ancient civilisations suggests that attempts were made to relieve dental problems using basic instruments. Of course, there was no understanding of bacteria or infection in the way we have today, so treatments were often based on relieving symptoms rather than addressing the actual cause. A basic treatment would probably have used a hand drill, no local anaesthetics and very likely a lot of guesswork too as there would be no way of seeing the issue close up due to lack of magnification.
Early attempts are simply not comparable with current root canal treatments, and the good news, especially for nervous dental patients, is that a root canal procedure is much more sophisticated (and with very powerful anaesthetics to help you stay comfortable during the treatment too).
Over time, improvements have been made until we arrive at where we are today. We know a lot more about bacteria and infection and the equipment used is much more sophisticated and advanced.
The arrival of reliable local anaesthetic has been hugely important. Before this, dental procedures could be very uncomfortable, to say the least, making complex treatments much harder for both the patient and dentist. Being able to numb the area properly allows dentists to take the time needed to complete treatment carefully.
The use of digital x-rays and scans allow your experienced Croydon dentists to see exactly what the problem is and allows them to work out the best way to approach it and to ensure that no abscess is present before treatment starts.
Modern flexible instruments allow dentists to clean the narrow and often complex root canals of the teeth much more effectively and efficiently than ever before. Magnification also means that the dentist can monitor the progress of the treatment more easily than before and enable a better outcome.
The reality is that, while some sensations might be felt during the procedure, you shouldn’t experience actual pain; something that we hope will come as a relief to our more anxious patients.
There are times when a tooth cannot be saved and extraction is the best option. However, when a tooth can be successfully treated, keeping the natural tooth is usually preferable. A natural tooth maintains the way you bite and chew and helps keep neighbouring teeth in their correct positions.
Replacing missing teeth is now very successful thanks to treatments such as dental implants and bridges, but preserving your own teeth is often the simplest and most natural solution.
Good aftercare, following root canal surgery, is also important and our dentists will discuss this with you before your treatment. Generally, this is straightforward with good quality brushing and flossing and keeping your regular dental appointments with us. As the restored tooth will, in effect, now be a ‘dead tooth’, they will discuss the implications of this with you as well.
If you have been putting off contacting a dentist, even if you are in some discomfort, please be assured that whether it is a filling or a root canal procedure, our friendly team will do all that they can to keep you comfortable during your treatment.
For more information or to book an appointment at the Smile Dental Practice in Croydon, please call us today on 020 8649 7911.
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