In fact, a root canal treatment provides instant relief from the debilitating pain of a tooth infection. Modern endodontic technology and anaesthetics have come a long way since the days when the dental drill was wielded without pain relief – indeed, it’s almost a century since that last happened! When you have a root canal treatment at Sidcup’s Smile Sensations, your mouth will be completely numb throughout.

Most root canal treatments successfully save your natural tooth permanently. This, in turn, saves you a great deal of inconvenience, discomfort and money on future dental treatments. It’s always better to save the natural tooth wherever possible, and your local Smile Sensations dentists in Sidcup are extremely experienced in carrying out successful endodontics and root canal treatments.

Like the myth about pain, this misconception is a hangover from the early 20th century, when a dentist in the US made a now-debunked connection between root canal and autoimmune diseases. Today’s high-tech endodontics and hygienic root canal treatments cannot be compared with those of the 1920s and do not lead to health problems.

When you come in for a root canal treatment at your local dentist in Sidcup, we start with a thorough examination with X-rays. Your endodontic treatment will be carried out under local anaesthetic. The dentist will isolate your infected tooth with a rubber dam, which keeps it dry and prevents you from swallowing any chemicals. Your tooth will then be opened up at the crown, which gives the dentist access to the pulp chamber and canal. The infected pulp is removed, then the canal is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sealed with a material called gutta percha. Following recovery, you’ll be able to return to the dentist to have a permanent restoration fitted.

Early signs and symptoms include tooth pain, swelling, sensitivity to hot and cold foods, and pain when chewing. At Smile Sensations in Sidcup, we recommend seeing your dentist as early as possible. Often these early symptoms subside as the infection kills off the sensitive tooth pulp – only to return later, more intensely, when the infection penetrates further into the tissue surrounding the tooth, causing severe pain and often a dental abscess. If you think you might need a root canal, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local Sidcup dentists. As endodontic experts, we are here to help.

It varies from case to case, and crucially must not be rushed. But on average, if it’s your first root canal (as opposed to a retreatment), you can expect to be in the dentist’s chair for around 90 minutes. Get in touch with the team at Smile Sensations to book a root canal appointment near Sidcup today.