Root canal treatment is needed where a tooth may have been very painful to hot and cold foods/drinks or spontaneously; after a deep filling or recent preparation for a crown or bridge-work or has been damaged after a traumatic injury. These circumstances can cause the pulp (nerve) to become inflamed or infected. If this is left untreated it can cause further pain or lead to an abscess. Root canal treatment is carried out to enable you to keep your tooth and with proper care most treated teeth can last as long as other natural teeth.

Over 80% of cases requiring endodontics are treated by your dentist at HDS.
Some more complex and re-treatment cases are selected for referral to a specialist endodontist.  If so, this is to achieve the best possible outcome for your tooth prior to placement of the final restoration by your dentist at HDS.

If you agree to referral, the specialist will advise at the initial consultation on the procedure, the cost and the anticipated chances of success.

After treatment the top of the tooth must be effectively sealed and after a suitable review period a final crown or other restoration placed to strengthen the tooth.
Radiographs are required before, sometimes during, and after treatment.

At HDS all endodontics instruments are single patient use in accordance with the Department of Health guidance.  This is to eliminate the perceived theoretic and infinitesimally small risk of transmission of variant CJD between patients.

Sometimes the inflammation or infection at the end of the root(s) of your tooth may persist after treatment. If this occurs then a surgical procedure called root end resection may be required to help resolve the problem. Should this procedure be needed it will be discussed with you at that time.

<<< Back