Root Canal Treatment
We offer 24h emergency appointments and same-day pain relief for patients who require root canal treatment.
Our highly-skilled dentists and in-house specialists have been treating emergency patients in Dublin for over 18 years and excel in handling even the most anxious of patients.
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When is root canal treatment needed?
A root canal dental procedure may be necessary if a patient’s tooth/teeth become decayed or if an injury has occurred. In such cases, the tooth pulp usually becomes damaged, which can often result in a lack of blood to the area and, in turn, infection and tooth pain. Root canal treatment is essential to prevent infection from spreading, consequently saving the need for tooth extraction.
The specialist area of root canal treatment is referred to as endodontics. In complex cases, the patient may be referred to an expert endodontist. Also known as root filling treatment, this can be a lengthy procedure dependent on each patient’s circumstances.
Each of our emergency dental clinics can provide root canal treatment to patients.
Root canal treatment step-by-step
Root canal treatment is usually spread over two or more stages.
Firstly, an anaesthetic is administered to the patient to ease any anxiety and make the treatment pain-free and comfortable. The tooth is then isolated through the use of a rubber dam. This is used for sterilisation purposes and to ensure no more bacteria can enter into the infected tooth.
Next, we use high-tech equipment in the form of a flexible titanium rotary file to shape the canals. Titanium is noted to be of an excellent biocompatible level with humans, and this material also minimises the risk of infection or possible fractures to the teeth during treatment. 24 Hour Emergency Dentists use ultra-modern apex locators to identify the exact length of the canal; they also use modern microscopic equipment to ensure the canals are perfectly shaped. The dentist will then disinfect the tooth with powerful disinfectant to ensure sanitation, further reducing any chance of infection.
Finally, the root canal filling material, known as gutta-percha, is used to fill the root canal, enabling the tooth to remain healthy after treatment finishes.
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BOOK ONLINEIs a root canal treatment painful?
The infection requiring root canal treatment is typically very painful, causing a throbbing sensation in the are of the tooth and sometimes in the entire jaw. If left untreated, the pain may spread to the ears and can cause a constant headache. In some occasions, the infection may spread further and initiate flu-like symptoms, including fever and fatigue.
When providing root canal treatment, we take all possible measures to ensure the patient feels no pain. Topical sedation is always administered to numb the area around the tooth and remove any sensitivity. If the infection has become more prominent, your dentist may recommend a course of antibiotics or another anti-inflammatory medication, to ensure you are in good health before the treatment.
You may feel some discomfort at the end of the procedure; however, strong painkillers can ease this, and the pain will only be temporary.
Is there an alternative to root canal treatment?
Sadly, when the pulp becomes infected, and proper blood circulation is no longer possible, the process is irreversible. The environment inside the tooth becomes favourable for the infection to develop. If left untreated, this infection can cause severe damage to the nerves inside the jaw, as well as the bone structure and shape.
Although your dentist is highly unlikely to recommend it, tooth extraction is also an alternative to root canal treatment. The procedure is quicker, yet an implant or a bridge is then required to retain the alignment of the teeth, as well as proper chewing function.
TIP: What to look for in root canal treatment?
When a root canal treatment procedure is carried out, it is of vital importance that the root canal of the tooth is adequately filled with gutta-percha. If a part of the canal remains empty (as on the image shown here), the infection can continue to develop inside the root and the bone, causing irreversible damage to the structure of the jaw, or lead to the need of tooth extraction.
If you had a root canal treatment done a while back, but you can still feel a foul odour from the area of the tooth contact our friendly receptionist staff to book an appointment.
Root Canal Treatment Cost
Your emergency dentist will be able to provide you with details concerning the cost of root canal treatment. The cost will depend on the complexity of each patient’s case and the number of root canals required.