Say goodbye to toothache
An infected root canal often goes hand-in-hand with two unwanted friends - severe toothache and worry. The constant throbbing you’re experiencing when you have a dental infection is caused by inflammation of the living tissue in the heart of your tooth. And, because this tissue is filled with nerve endings, the pain is often unbearable.
Root canal treatments are routine procedures to remove an infection deep inside the tooth. This straightforward procedure is highly effective and can save your tooth and prevent further infection.
The root cause
If you have an untreated cavity or a damaged tooth, bacteria can gradually penetrate below the outer surfaces until they reach the living tissue inside. Once the tooth becomes infected, it’s time to take action.
Without treatment, dental infections spread. An infected tooth becomes abscessed, and you may lose it. An infection can move to neighbouring teeth, spread to the gums, affect your jaws, and even cause sepsis.
The signs of a dental infection can include:
- Severe pain around a tooth
- Sensitivity in your tooth to hot and cold
- Swelling in your mouth, jaw, and face
- Dark grey or black areas on the affected tooth
- Pus coming from under the tooth
- Bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- A high temperature
What happens during a root canal treatment?
After taking X-rays of your teeth to assess the infection, we’ll give you a local anaesthetic to stop any pain. The treatment is straightforward. We’ll carefully remove all of the infected matter from the inside of your tooth.
Once we’re happy the infection is no longer present, and the inside of your tooth is sanitised, we’ll fill it with a natural latex-like material before closing it with a filling.
The whole process is usually performed in a single appointment, although we may recommend returning to have a crown placed at a later date. Closing the tooth off with a crown will reduce the potential for reinfection at a later date.
Preserving your smile
Removing an infection with a root canal treatment stops its spread. This prevents further complications that could cause tooth loss, periodontitis, and other infections.
Stop the pain
The toothache that comes with a dental infection is often intense. A root canal treatment stops pain in its tracks. Some mild sensitivity is common following treatment, but this quickly passes.
Enjoy food again
When your tooth is infected, eating becomes a battle. Once you've received treatment, you can return to eating and enjoying your favourite meals.
Routine and almost painless
The modern techniques and technology used in root canal treatments are efficient and effective, meaning you get the best experience possible.
Voices of trust.
I am in the process of having my second implant here as well as composite bonding. I've just got to have the crown fitted in a few weeks time. Donatela and Michael are very friendly and Michael explains everything for you so you know what is happening and when it will happen. Despite warnings of possible swelling after the implant I have found the whole process easy and painless and would recommend Bella Dental to anyone thinking of having an implant.
Great experience at Bella Dental for a hygiene cleaning. Dr Michael was very professional, thoughtful and accommodating to my several questions and enquiries. The clinic is very transparent on putting patients first and making us informed of our health decisions. Donatela at reception was very helpful and the Dental nurse was also very amazing. I highly recommend.
Excellent service from start to finish. If I could give 10 stars I most definitely would. The staff are amazing. Thank you Bella Dental
Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment in Bromley
Everything patients usually ask before starting their treatment. Can't see your question? We're happy to talk it through.
Does a root canal hurt?
Far less than the toothache that brings most people in. We numb the tooth completely with local anaesthetic first, so the treatment itself is comfortable - most patients say it feels much like having a filling. The relief afterwards is the part people remember. Some mild tenderness for a day or two is normal and settles quickly.
Why not just take the tooth out?
Keeping your own tooth is almost always the better option. A natural tooth holds its place, keeps your bite working properly, and stops neighbouring teeth drifting. A root canal lets us clear the infection and save the tooth, so extraction - and then having to replace the gap - becomes a last resort rather than a first move.
How long does the treatment take?
Usually a single appointment. We remove the infection, clean and seal the inside of the tooth, and close it with a filling in one visit. For some teeth we'll recommend coming back to fit a crown a little later, which protects the tooth and lowers the chance of the problem returning.
Will I need a crown afterwards?
Often, yes - particularly on back teeth that do a lot of chewing. Once a tooth has had a root canal it can become more brittle, and a crown strengthens and protects it against fracture. We'll tell you at your appointment whether yours needs one, and because we have an on-site lab, we can make it here rather than sending the work away.
Root canal treatments at Bella Dental.
If you’re experiencing a toothache, don’t wait to see if it worsens. The sooner we treat it, the better. Call today and book your appointment.
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52 High Street,
Bromley.
52 High Street, Bromley
Greater London, BR1 1EG
Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:30pm
Thursdays: reception only (no dentist)
1 min walk from Bromley South · 3 min from The Glades · metered parking outside