Why Root Canal treatments are necessary?

If a tooth is infected or badly decayed then a root canal treatment, known as Endodontics, is required to repair and save the tooth.

How does a tooth become infected ?

There are a number of parts to the tooth structure: the visible part is the crown and the root extends into the jaw bone, anchoring the tooth beneath the surface. The root has a hard exterior surface known as the Cementum but the centre consists of a soft pulp layer. When the blood supply or nerve tissue referred to as pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begins to multiply within the pulp chamber or canals. Infection or an abscessed tooth can be caused by the bacteria and other decay. If left untreated, an infection in the root canal can cause swelling that can spread to other areas including the face, head and neck.

How does the tooth get infected?

There are a number of reasons a tooth becomes infected: a deep decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, a trauma to the face or repeated dental work on a tooth and/or large fillings.

What does RCT actually involve?

A root canal treatments involves the removal of the nerve and pulp; allowing the inside to be cleaned out and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.

What are the signs that treatment is needed?

Usual signs to look for include :-

• Severe toothache, pain upon chewing or application of pressure
• Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
• Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed)
• A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums.

Unfortunately, it may be that it is only when the infection gets worse and the pain intensifies, that you will notice a problem and then need to get it checked out.

The dentist will administer anaesthetic before treatment so that the patient does not feel any discomfort. A course of antibiotics may be required where an abscess is present in order to reduce swelling in the week before the root canal treatment. This allows the dentists to then use anaesthetic for the actual root canal treatment itself. You can expect two visits to complete the treatment. A seal is normally provided by the fitting of a crown which provides the best form of seal and protects against any leaks in the root canal which will eventually lead to a failure in the root canal. You can expect root canal work to last an average of around ten years but often longer.

See Root Canal Work at Confident Dental

People lose teeth due to injury or gum disease perhaps; causing issues with eating and potential further difficulties with the surrounding teeth that may move due to the gap; eventually causing the face to look more caved in. A dental implant is an ideal replacement; giving a natural look and feel. There are a number of restorative procedures for a missing tooth including the use of dentures which have long been a popular choice. However, these don't have the durability or permanence of a dental implant. A dental implant is a small titanium rod is placed into the jaw bone and acts as a replacement for the root portion of a missing tooth in your mouth. It is then possible to fit an artificial replacement for the missing tooth on top of the rod. A firm foundation for the new tooth is created as the jaw bone eventually heals around the rod.

There are a number of options for those looking for a dental implant treatments overseas which may appear a cheaper option. However, despite the potential for savings and a possible holiday combined with treatment overseas, there are other factors to consider:

Regulatory Standards - In the UK we have standards set out by the General Dental Council and it is not certain whether the same standards will abide in other countries.

Problems - Although competent professionals will have a 90-95% success rate, things can go wrong and dental implants do sometimes fail whether you have treatment in the UK or abroad. If you have your treatment in the UK, then booking an appointment to fix the problem is a lot easier; involving a lot less time off work and additional cost in terms of flights and accommodation.

After care - The initial implant may have been cheaper abroad but once you have had your implant treatment, you should have follow up aftercare appointments which would mean taking more time off work, booking a flight and a hotel to see your dentist again - all adding to the cost.

Continuity of care - Using your UK based dentist means you will continuity of care, seeing the same person for all your appointments. If your treatment is abroad, you may find that you see different dentists who are unfamiliar with your treatment and care. There may also be difficulties regarding the language barrier.

Dr Rafik Hebeish BDS MFGDP (Eng)

Read about Confident Dental Implants in Wimbledon

Are you self conscious about your teeth when you smile? Do you find yourself purposely closing your mouth in photos, or raising your hand in front of your face to hide your teeth?

If you are not been with a confident smile, there are still things you can do to get one. We'd all like to have a nice smile but our teeth can stop us from smiling and feeling good due to concerns with crooked teeth, discolouring, the prominence of your gums or even bad breath. There are treatments that can help, like whitening your teeth, getting rid of bad breath, straightening your teeth or having porcelain veneers.

Scientists have pinpointed more than 50 types of smiles, and their research suggests that the sincerest smile of all is known as the Duchenne smile--a smile that pushes up into the eyes. The reason it's more genuine is because the muscles needed to smile with our eyes are involuntary; they only become engaged in an authentic smile, not in a "courtesy" smile. Since you can't force a genuine smile (after all, that's what makes them genuine!) I will try to share with you in this article, one of the ways you can smile from within.

INVISABLE BRACES

Many of us experience problems as children or teenagers because teeth don't necessarily grow in a straight line. If there is no regular access to dental care, the opportunity to resolve the issues using braces in childhood may be missed. The problems can become more severe by the time we reach adulthood and the issues can go beyond just a less attractive look. Your teeth can cause headaches, become infected and just become generally uncomfortable.
If your teeth alignment is not corrected, you could suffer with problems with decay and the need to have more fillings. A single tooth out of position will impact on the surrounding teeth; positing them out of line. Ultimately, you will not only achieve a better looking smile by straightening your teeth, your teeth become easier to maintain and therefore prevent further damage from occurring.

Adult braces provide the simplest and most affordable way of correcting teeth alignment. Unless the issue is severe, you can probably be fitted with clear braces that family and friends will find hard to spot. Wearing braces has become much more common place in recent years and there is generally less embarrassment. Chances are that most people will only ever see the difference in your newly straightened teeth.!

PORCELAIN VENEERS

If you have chips or gaps in your teeth then you may wish to consider porcelain veneers; particularly when your teeth are straight along the gum line but misaligned at the base. The treatment consists of grinding down your natural tooth and capping it with a veneer. You can choose a colour and shape that you prefer to match with your existing teeth. An initial consultation will discuss the issues you have with your current smile and the required treatment. You can expect around 4-5 visits to your dentist in total. A treatment plan will be discussed once impressions and x-rays have been done. Your teeth are then prepared and you have a trial period with your new smile until the final veneers are cemented into place at your last appointment.

Fot the smile you've always wanted, take a look at what Confident Dental in Wimbledon can do for you.

Dr Rafik Hebeish BDS MFGDP (Eng)