Why have root canal treatment?

  • Dental infection

    Healthier mouth

    Remove a source of infection to keep your oral health in good condition.

  • Dental pain

    Eliminate pain

    Relieve the pain and toothache caused by an infected tooth.

  • Dental inspection

    Cost-effective

    Root canal treatment is less expensive than replacing a lost tooth.

  • Man white smile

    Prevent issues

    Successful treatment can prevent further problems caused by losing a tooth.

Dental treatment

When is root canal treatment needed?

The dental pulp within your tooth is made up of soft tissue, including nerves and blood vessels, and extends from the crown to the tips of the root. If the pulp becomes infected, due to decay, trauma, or a deep filling, it needs to be removed to avoid the issue spreading and to save your natural tooth. You may experience symptoms including pain, sensitivity, discolouration, swelling, a metallic taste or gum tenderness.

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Digital x-rays

What does root canal treatment involve?

Root canal treatment usually requires several appointments, depending on the type of tooth being treated. Between appointments, your tooth will be covered and temporarily restored.

Firstly, we take an x-ray to accurately check the root canals of your tooth and make sure there are no signs of infection in the surrounding bone. We plan your treatment, letting you know of each stage.

We place a rubber sheet around your tooth to keep it dry during treatment. We carefully remove the infected pulp, using local anaesthetic to minimise your discomfort. We then flush the root canals with an antibacterial solution to thoroughly clean them.

We use special tiny instruments to shape the root canals before washing them again to remove any lasting debris. We then fill them with a rubber compound material to seal the tooth and prevent any bacteria from entering and causing further infection.

The treated root canal is sealed with a permanent filling. In some cases, we may need to use a crown to help restore tooth shape and functionality for a natural looking finish.

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Dental practice room

Frequently asked questions

The best way to look after your tooth following endodontic treatment is to keep up with a regular brushing and flossing routine. Root filled teeth are still prone to decay, so need to be cared for properly.

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Opening times

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
08:00 – 17:3008:00 – 20:3008:00 – 20:3008:00 – 17:3008:00 – 17:00
Open alternate Saturdays
08:15 - 12:30
 

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Dentist and patient
Thornhill Dental is able to accept referrals for Orthopantomogram x-rays from other dental practitioners. Referrals can be made on a private basis or NHS basis (if the patient is undergoing NHS treatment at their own practice).