Root canal endodontics Belfast

Sometimes due to caries or due to an injury, the pulp tissue inside a tooth is damaged and gets infected. The pulp tissue consists of connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels. The damage results in pus formation, abscess and severe pain. If the infection spreads too much, then the tooth will not survive. As a result the tooth will have to be removed.
A root canal treatment or endodontic therapy can protect and preserve the tooth. In this method the damaged pulp tissue is removed and treatment is carried out, to check the infections.
What will happens if you do not treat the damaged pulp tissue? 
Result of negligence may be the following ---

1. An abscess is formed at the root of the tooth. Abscess destroys the underlying bone tissue. And tooth faces extraction.
2. Infection can spread to the nearby teeth, and can cause fever, swelling around tooth area, and can cause septicaemia.

What are the symptoms of pulpal damage? 
The common symptoms as below ---

1. Headache
2. Teeth are become sensitive to hot or cold foods
3. Swelling in the face and the neck
4. Pain in the tooth during chewing or biting.

How the pulp tissue gets damaged? 
Pulp can be damaged by following factors ---

1. Tooth decay or a cavity present in the tooth –microbes reach down to the nerves and blood vessels in the pulp and destroy them.
2. Gum disease.
3. Injury to the tooth or jaw –a blow can damage the nerve tissues and blood vessels present in the pulp of the tooth.

What type of examination is done in the initial consultation with the Belfast dentist? 
The Belfast dentist will examine your teeth and will do diagnostic tests to confirm the extent of damage. The tests include ---

1. Visual examination – The Belfast dentist will examine the tooth to detect any colour changes that have occurred in the tooth
2. Electric pulp testing –electric current is sent through the tooth to find its vitality. (This test is not used in patients having a pacemaker or other electronic life-support device in their body).
3. Cold test – ice or ethyl chloride is applied to the teeth to test the cold sensitivity.
4. Hot test – warm gutta-percha is applied to the teeth for testing the hot sensitivity of the teeth.
5. Percussion test – The Belfast dentist will knock lightly on the tooth to find if the infection has reached the apex of tooth
6. Radiographs – If through X-rays the tooth apex appears dark, then root canal treatment is considered.
7. Periodontal probing –A probe is used to measure the pocket depth around the tooth, and to know about the health of the gums. Root canal treatment is considered according to this.

What precautions are to be followed immediately before the root canal treatment? 
The Belfast dentist will advise you ---

1. Not to take aspirin for 10 days prior to treatment.
2. Avoid chewing on the infection side of the mouth.
3. Head should be kept in a raised position during sleep.  
4. Take a soft diet. Hard, chewy and sticky foods must be avoided.
5. Alcoholic beverages for 12 hours before treatment must not be used.
6. Smoking should be abandoned for 12 hours before treatment.

What is the procedure of the root canal treatment?
 
Root canal treatment is completed in more than one appointment with your Belfast dentist  
During the First appointment –

1. Cleaning of the infected portion and temporary sealing is done.
2. Anaesthesia is given around the affected tooth.
3. The Belfast dentist will drill a hole through the crown of the affected tooth
4. The root canal is measured with the help of An X-ray. It can also be measured with the help of an instrument called apex locator.
5. The Belfast dentist will remove the infected pulp and will clean out the pulp chamber as well as the root canal.
6. The pulp chamber is slightly enlarged and then disinfected.
7. Then, the Belfast dentist temporarily seals the tooth.
8. You will be given antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs for a few days to speed up healing.

Second appointment – After 1 week

1. The Belfast dentist checks to be sure that no infection exists in the tooth
2. Then the canals are filled with gutta-percha.
3. The opening in the tooth is sealed by ---

• Filling it with cement or ---

• By fabricating a crown and placing it on the tooth.

What type of discomfort is possible after the root canal procedure?

1. The tooth will remain sore for 2 - 3 days after the procedure.
2. A little irritation will be experienced due to soft tissue inflammation for a few weeks after the surgery.
3. The Belfast dentist will prescribe analgesics to alleviate pain and soreness.

Life after root canal treatment
 
What should be done to control the pain?

1. Take the analgesics prescribed by your Belfast dentist to alleviate pain and soreness.
2. You should not bend over or lift heavy things, for 2 - 3 days if it produces pain.
3. Apply ice compresses for 15 - 20 minutes on the painful area to alleviate pain and swelling.
4. If advised by your Belfast dentist, rinse the mouth with hot salt water many times a day to lessen pain and swelling.

What changes should be brought about regarding the Diet and other habits after the treatment?
During the first few days after the treatment ---

1. Avoid alcoholic drinks for 2 days after the treatment.
2. Abandon smoking for 3 days after the root canal treatment.
3. Avoid chewing any food on the treated side.
4. You should take soft diet for 1 - 2 days after first root canal treatment.

What Restrictions are to be followed for a Long term?

1. You should Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquid every day.
2. Avoid of all types of sugary snacks, and also avoid coffee, tea, and soda which contain caffeine.

Which type of Dental cleaning and maintenance will be necessary?
Important instructions are given below ---
Brushing, rinsing and flossing

• Brush the teeth and rinse mouth after every meal.
• A tooth brush must have soft bristles.
• Floss the teeth after brushing and then rinse mouth with an anti-plaque mouthwash.

Preventing the tooth from damage

• protect the tooth  from trauma and strain as it can cause facture and chipping, because a pulp less tooth is more brittle than a healthy tooth

Cosmetic improvement

• A pulp less tooth becomes discoloured after the passage of time. Its aesthetic appearance can be improved by bleaching.

When should you visit the Belfast dentist for follow up?

• You must visit your Belfast dentist after six months of treatment.  The Belfast dentist will examine the tooth to ensure that the tooth and surrounding tissues are in good condition.

How important are the Regular check ups?

• You should visit your Belfast dentist for regular check-ups. The Belfast dentist will assess the condition of the treated tooth as well as the surrounding tissues.

Emergency visits
An emergency visit to the Belfast dentist will be necessary in the following conditions after treatment ---

1. If you suffer from a temperature above 100.4° F (38° C).
2. Shivering, pain and weakness.
3. Itching on the skin or swelling on the skin.
4. Appearance of rashes on the skin.