Endodontics in Rickmansworth
Root Canal Treatment

Endodontics

What is Endodontics?

Endodontics is the specialist area of dentistry that focuses on the tooth pulp inside the tooth and tissues surrounding the tooth root.

An endodontist is a dentist who has had an extra four years of training to assist with the specialist knowledge concerning the nerves, blood vessels and pulp inside the tooth.

You might be referred to an endodontist from your regular dental practitioner if you are suffering from tooth abscesses which indicate an infection, if you are suffering with tooth pain and if you need root canal treatment.

If you live in Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Croxley Green or in Hertfordshire, you might be referred to our resident endodontist at Inspire Dental – Dr Keval Shah who is highly qualified and experienced in endodontics.

What is the process for

Root Canal in Rickmansworth?

The process for root canal treatment has several steps and often requires more than one appointment.

Step One - Diagnosis

We will assess your mouth to see where you are experiencing pain or symptoms such as swelling or an abscess. You may also have an x-ray which gives a more detailed picture and allows us to see inside your tooth and help to determine whether you require root canal treatment.
Diagnosis

Step Two – Local anaesthetic

A local anaesethic will be administered which numbs the affected area and will mean you don’t feel anything during root canal treatment.
Local anaesthetic

Step Three – Removal of infected pulp

Your endodontist will carefully remove the top of your tooth to create an opening. The pulp is then removed using special dental tools.
Removal of the infected pulp

Step Four – Cleaning of the root canals

Next, the endodontist will use a special cleansing liquid to flush out the canals inside your tooth. This ensures that the infection is eliminated and does not return.
Cleaning of the root canals

Step Five – Temporary filling

A temporary filling is then used to close and seal up the opening that was made in your tooth. If the infection in your tooth was severe, you may be given antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading.
Temporary filling

Step Six – Dental crown

A follow up appointment will be made to check on the health of your tooth and to ensure that the infection has completely gone. You may have another x-ray to check inside the tooth again. Finally, your tooth will be fitted with a custom-made dental crown which caps the top of the tooth to provide protection.
Dental crown
Which treatments are

Involved with Endodontics?

The most common type of treatment in endodontics is root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment

If the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected either through decay or trauma, you may experience an infection, have pain and experience an abscess. Root canal treatment is essential to deal with the infection inside the tooth and to prevent it from spreading. If root canal treatment isn’t carried out, there is a risk that the tooth will need to be extracted.

Endodontic surgery

This procedure is used to deal with a dental infection and can be used to find small fractures which might be previously undetected in an x-ray.

Periradicular surgery

This is an umbrella term for surgery that is conducted on the external tooth root surface. Apicoectomy is one type of dental procedure where inflamed gum tissue and the end of the root of the tooth is removed whilst leaving the top of the tooth is left in place.

Why choose

Inspire Dental for endodontics?

If you have missing teeth and live in Sarratt, Loudwater, Watford or Hertfordshire, you should consider endodontics at Inspire Dental because

Frequently Asked Questions About

Endodontics

Can I get root canal treatment on the NHS?
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Root canal treatment is covered by the NHS because it is seen as essential to your dental health. You will need to pay a contribution towards your treatment. Root canal treatment is usually within band two of the NHS pay criteria.
Does root canal treatment hurt and what is the recovery time?
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The procedure for root canal treatment doesn’t hurt as you will have a local anaesthetic. As this wears off after the treatment, your mouth may feel sore. This is manageable with paracetamol. Recovery should take two to three days.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do after root canal treatment?
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You should avoid eating immediately after treatment and wait until your teeth and gums no longer feel numb. Additionally, we recommend that you don’t consume hot or cold liquids or smoke for the first hour after root canal treatment. Smoking can interfere with the recovery, and you should avoid it completely. We will discuss all these factors at your initial consultation.

Your First Visit

*A fully refundable £30 deposit will be taken at the time of booking.