There are many misconceptions about root canal treatment, which can cause unnecessary anxiety when the procedure is mentioned. Although no one welcomes the phrase, “You need a root canal,” the treatment is far less daunting than many expect. In reality, root canal procedures are typically quick and comfortable, with many patients experiencing little or no discomfort. Understanding what the treatment involves can help alleviate concerns and provide reassurance.

Symptoms to be aware of
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods, sharp pain when biting, swelling of the gums, or persistent toothache may indicate the need for root canal treatment. These symptoms often result from inflammation or infection of the tooth’s pulp, commonly caused by deep decay or trauma.

Who performs root canal treatment
Your dentist will usually diagnose the problem and recommend treatment. Depending on the complexity of the case, the procedure may be carried out by your dentist or by an endodontist, a dentist with additional specialist training.

The need for a dental crown
After root canal treatment, the affected tooth is typically restored with a crown. This helps to strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage.

Pain and recovery
Root canal treatment is comparable to having a routine filling. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area, ensuring comfort throughout the procedure. Mild sensitivity may occur for a short time afterwards, which is usually managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relief.

Preserving your natural teeth
Root canal treatment allows you to retain your natural tooth, which can function just as effectively and last as long as an untreated tooth when properly restored. Preserving natural teeth is always preferable to extraction, which can lead to alignment and bite issues.

At KentEndo, you can be confident that you will receive the highest standard of care in a calm and relaxed environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our team on 01622 225555.

Following my root canal treatment last month, I wanted to write a blog post to  help to reassure those people with reservations about root canal treatment that it is definitely worth giving it a go.

I first attended my regular dentist with some pain when biting down. They took x-rays and explained that there was infection present in the root of the tooth. I was given two options either the tooth could be extracted or I could be referred for root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment seemed a scary option, but once the dentist had explained the benefits of trying to save the tooth, I decided to go ahead with the root canal treatment. I was especially keen to try and save the tooth as it is visible when I smile and I really did not want to be left with a gap and the expense of a dental implant to fill it.

I was referred to Kent Endo who quickly got in touch with me to arrange an appointment. I made sure to book an early appointment to give me as little time as possible to get stressed and worried about the treatment.

When I arrived at the practice, everyone was very friendly. I was asked to complete a medical history form and was then shown to the waiting room.

The dentist gave me a local anaesthetic to ensure that the tooth was numb and I wouldn’t experience any pain or discomfort while the treatment was completed. In order to perform the root canal treatment, the dentist must first gain access to the area inside the tooth where the nerve resides. In my case this involved removing the old filling.

For the next step the dentist will clean the interior of your tooth. To do this they will use root canal files and irrigation. Root canal files have a rough surface and when they are twisted into the tooth they will scrape and scrub the sides of the tooth’s canal, thus cleaning it out. As an additional part of the cleaning process, your dentist will wash the tooth out to help flush away any debris. This part of the treatment may seem a bit repetitive, but it is important to ensure that all the infection is removed.

Once this was complete the dentist put a temporary filling over the tooth and advised me that I would need to attend for a second appointment the following week.

When I attended for my second appointment the dentist assessed the tooth. The temporary filling was removed and a permanent filling put in its place. I have been advised that I should have a crown put on the tooth as it is now rather brittle and this will need to be done by my regular dentist, so I am going to get this booked in.

I felt no pain throughout the process and have not had any adverse effects to treatment. My tooth was a little sore for a couple of days but nothing some over the counter painkillers couldn’t keep at bay.

If yourdentist advises you that you need a root canal treatment, do not fear. If you are referred to KentEndo, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you have any concerns or queries do not hesitate to ask one of team on 01622 225555.

When you attend for your first appointment at KentEndo you will be asked to complete a confidential medical history questionnaire. This will help to form the basis of your dental record and enables the dentist to provide you with the best possible dental treatment plan.

What does the dentist need to know?

It is important that you fill out the medical history questionnaire in as much detail as possible. Even if you do not think it relates to your root canal treatment, it is important that the dentist is aware if you are taking medication, are undergoing any medical treatment, have ongoing medical conditions or have had any surgery within the last six months.

We are treating you, not just your teeth!

Below are some examples of questions and the reasons we ask them

• Have you ever had liver or kidney disease? If yes, you may require lower doses of local anaesthetic.
• Do you suffer from Arthritis? This can affect your oral health and some medications for arthritis can affect treatment options.
• Do you suffer from any Infectious Diseases such as HIV/Hepatitis? This can make you more susceptible to infection and mean it takes longer to heal.

Details of your medication are especially important. Certain medications will affect which treatments it is safe to perform within the dental surgery.

How often does my medical history need updating?

After your first visit, it is important that you notify the dentist of any changes to your medical history every time you attend. This will ensure that you will always receive the most appropriate care.

How can I be sure the information will be handled and stored securely?

Here at KentEndo we are registered with the Information Commissioners Office who regulate how we store and handle all patient information. Dentists are bound in the same way as GPs to patient confidentiality and we will never share your information without first gaining your consent.

Remember next time you are updating your medical history, the team at KentEndo care about your health and want to give you the personalised attention you need, so please be sure to let us know your complete medical history.

At KentEndo, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you have any concerns or queries do not hesitate to ask one of team on 01622 225555.

Root canal treatment is a dental option for patients suffering from tooth decay, severe toothache, and sensitive tooth. It involves the treatment of exposed and severed tooth nerves or the removal of the bacteria from the infected pulp.

With the ever-evolving technology in the dental industry, root canal treatment has become a simple procedure that helps combat any discomfort caused by tooth decay, sore tooth, sensitive tooth, and outright toothache. Root canal treatment lasts for about an hour and is often done in just one visit.

KentEndo provides easy, safe, effective root canal treatment that will restore your beautiful smile. You only get one, real, set of teeth in this life and it is important to keep them in good shape if you can. By keeping everything clean and infection-free, a root canal treatment at KentEndo will make sure your teeth stay healthy. It is not just all about pain management with these procedures.

Root canal and your health

Research has proven that your dental health is closely linked to the overall health of your entire body. So, it is crucial to take your dental issues seriously; they do not just affect your mouth and teeth. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, of any severity, a small dental issue could end up leading to other health problems and it is not worth the risk. Undergoing root canal treatment for an hour is going to be much better than ending up in accident and emergency.

Extreme tooth decay and long-lasting toothaches are a common dental complaint. They cause pain, and in extreme cases, tooth loss. Severe tooth decay greatly affects your oral health.

As such, root canal treatment helps keep teeth in good condition and prevents a tooth extraction.

Apart from maintaining good oral health, root canal treatment can also help boost overall health by preventing conditions associated with poor oral health. Such conditions include heart disease, respiratory infections, diabetes, dementia, and gastrointestinal infections.

Suffering from an infected tooth can cause a serious threat to your well-being. Treating tooth decay can help improve your oral health and ensuring good oral health can help boost your overall health.

Do not let a painful tooth affect the quality of your life. At KentEndo, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you have any concerns or queries do not hesitate to ask one of team on 01622 225555.

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, so it is capable of putting up with quite a lot. However, although tough, your teeth can still crack and fracture in the same way as bones.

In this month’s blog the team at KentEndo look at how you could have a cracked tooth and not even know it.

What causes a cracked tooth?

There are a number of reasons a tooth may crack, including:

• Biting down on hard foods like ice, boiled sweets, and nuts
• Using your teeth as tools to open bottles or crack nuts open
• Stress that leads to jaw clenching or grinding (this may be done unconsciously)
• Chewing unevenly
• Loss of tooth structure due to wear or large fillings
• Exposure to temperature extremes (such as eating hot food and then immediately washing it down with an ice-cold glass of water)
• Brittleness of teeth following a root canal treatment

What are the signs of a cracked tooth?

Identifying a cracked tooth can be difficult, in most cases an x-ray is needed to determine the problem.

However, there are 5 warning signs of a cracked that you should be aware of:

Tooth pain when biting or chewing

Although you may not experience the pain every time you eat, this can be a good indicator of a cracked tooth. It may occur only when you eat certain foods or when you bite down in a certain way.

Sporadic Pain

Unlike cavities or abscesses, the pain associated with a cracked toot h tends to be intermittent. If you experience occasional dental discomfort, it is possible that you have a tooth fracture.

Increased sensitivity

Pain or sensitivity when consuming hot foods, cold liquids, sticky, sweet, or sour foods may indicate a cracked tooth.

Infection

In some instances, a cracked tooth may cause an infection in the gum line near the fracture. This infection may appear as a small bump on the gum close to the affected tooth.

No visible signs

In many cases, a cavity can be identified by signs of tooth decay. This may include a dark spot on the tooth’s surface or a hole caused by enamel erosion. Tooth pain without visible signs could indicate a cracked tooth.

How is a Cracked Tooth Treated?

Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the location and severity. Tiny cracks are common and typically do not even require any treatment. However, cracks that affect the cusp of a tooth may require a treatment procedure – possibly a crown.

Roughly 20% of cracked teeth require root canal treatment, and in some severe cases, the cracked tooth may need to be removed altogether.

Here at KentEndo the team work hard to ensure that you can keep your own teeth for as long as possible. At KentEndo, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you have any concerns or queries do not hesitate to ask one of team on 01622 225555.

With more than 41,000 root canal treatments performed each year, you are definitely not alone if your dentist says you should consider a root canal treatment.

In this month’s blog the team at KentEndo look at the symptoms which may mean you need a root canal treatment.

It is important to inform your dentist about any of the following symptoms:

Severe Pain

Any pain in your mouth is unpleasant and should be mentioned to your dentist, but certain types of pain may signify root canal pain.

If you have spontaneous pain that hits you like a wave, it is likely that you have an infected or dead tooth that may need root canal treatment.

Are there certain positions in which your gums or tooth hurt worse? When you lay down or bend down is there a pressure on your tooth and face? This may be root canal pain.

Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

You can have sensitivity to hot and cold without needing root canal treatment. For those needing root canal treatment, the sensitivity and pain from the hot and cold lingers long after the drink or food.

Swollen Gums

If you have noticed that your gums are swollen it may be a sign of an infected tooth. Sometimes we can have inflamed gums after flossing or brushing too hard, this is different. The swollen gums will be tender and a bit painful to the touch and will remain swollen.

Chipped or Cracked Tooth

A chipped or cracked tooth is a two-fold sign of a tooth that may need root canal treatment. For one, perhaps there was trauma on the tooth that created the chip or crack and has now caused in-flamed or infected pulp. Secondly, the tooth may be so far decayed or infected that it is cracked or chipped from being dead. Either way, you will need root canal treatmentto try to save the remainder of the tooth.

Tender Gums

If your gums are tender to the touch, or even without touch, you may have root canal pain. When at the dentist, be sure to mention your tender gums.

An Abscess

An abscess is something that will be seen on an x-ray as a dark spot. It is basically a hole in the jawbone because bone will not grow around an infection. This is one of the main signs that you may need root canal treatment.

Do not put your tooth and your health at risk, schedule a dental exam today!

With KentEndo, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you would like more information or have any questions do not hesitate to ring the surgery on 01622225555.

Over the years, dentistry has become more complex, and the variety of treatments available to patients within dental practices has increased significantly. As a result, it is becoming more challenging to stay updated on all technological and treatment advancements. Consequently, there has been an increase in the number of dentists focusing their practice on specific conditions and their treatments.

The role of the general dentist has therefore changed. They are now the centre of patient care. General dentists have the initial and overall control over a patient’s course of treatment, once a problem has been diagnosed it is necessary for them to decide whether a patient is best treated in practice or referred out to a colleague with a specialist interest.

Reasons for referral

There are two main reasons why it may be better to refer a patient:

If diagnosis is uncertain

All dentists will come across cases which do not match the standard presentation. Referral can therefore avoid anxiety and suffering by both patient and dentist. There can be no negative outcome to a referral, as either the diagnosis will be made and treatment completed, which will see the patient grateful for the referral or if a diagnosis remains elusive the referring dentist appears justified in their treatment path. 

If the dentist does not have the necessary skills or equipment to treat the patient effectively

After diagnosis, a self-aware dentist will recognise those dental conditions that they do not have the skills or necessary equipment to deal with in practice. Some clinical issues need specific equipment, materials, and techniques not feasible in a general practice. In this case referral to a colleague with a special interest may be necessary.

How to refer

Here at KentEndo, your local private practice limited to endodontics, referrals are quick and simple. You can either complete our online referral form or if you prefer, download a paper copy which can be posted to us.  We aim to offer all patients an appointment within two weeks of receiving the referral and will endeavour to provide emergency appointments for patients in acute pain within 48 hours.

With KentEndo, you can be safe in the knowledge that your patients will receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you would like more information or have any questions do not hesitate to ring the surgery on 01622225555.

Do you feel extreme pain and sensitivity when chewing? Have bad breath? Have a bad taste in your mouth? Have facial swelling and fever? All of these symptoms could indicate that you have a dental abscess. A dental abscess is a condition that is caused by bacteria creating a pocket of pus around the tooth.

How is a Tooth Abscess Formed?

An untreated cavity can increase your risk of a tooth abscess. Without prompt treatment, harmful oral bacteria enter the cavity and cause further damage to the tooth until the decay reaches the nerves and blood vessels in the inner chamber. This results in infection in the pulp canal system and spreads to the tip of the tooth root in the jawbone, causing pain, swelling, and redness in the gums.

Other causes of a tooth abscess include a cracked or fractured tooth, gum disease, severe tooth decay, and severe trauma or problems with an existing root canal.

What are the Dangers of an Untreated Dental Abscess?

A dental abscess will not heal on its own. Delaying treatment can frequently worsen the pain, sensitivity, and swelling and redness of the gums.

Choosing to ignore a dental abscess could result in minor to serious health conditions, including:

• Tooth Loss – With early diagnosis and treatment, the infected tooth can be saved through root canal treatment and a crown. If left untreated the abscess could lead to the tooth weakening and the infection spreading, resulting in loss of the infected tooth.
• Sinus Infections – Since the upper teeth roots extend into your sinus area, the abscess could trigger a painful sinus infection.
• Septicaemia – Septicaemia is a life-threatening complication of an untreated tooth abscess. It means the infection has spread throughout the entire body. Septicaemia due to a tooth abscess is caused by a ruptured pocket of pus, spilling into the blood, and circulating throughout the body.

How are Tooth Abscesses Treated and Prevented?

To treat an abscessed tooth, the dentist needs to clear up the infection to relieve the pain. Determining the exact location of the tooth abscess requires an x-ray examination. This will also help the dentist find out if the infection has spread to other areas.

Luckily, various treatments are available to treat a dental abscess. However, treatment options depend on the type and severity of the abscess.

• Dental Abscess Drain – A small cut is made in the abscess to drain the pus. A saline solution is used to clean the infected area.
• Antibiotics – The dentist often prescribes oral antibiotics if a patient has a weakened immune system. Antibiotics help stop the infection from spreading to other areas.
• Tooth Extraction – Tooth extraction may be required if the tooth is severely damaged. Following the removal of the damaged tooth, the dentist will drain the abscess.
• Root Canal Procedure – To drain the abscess, the dentist will drill into the affected tooth to remove the infected pulp and fill and seal the chamber, which holds both pulp and root canal. A dental crown is placed to cap and strengthen the tooth.

If you cannot visit your dentist right away, taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen, will provide temporary relief from pain. You can also rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution to help control the pain and infection.

To reduce the risk of dental abscess, ensure you follow good oral hygiene, such as brushing twice daily and flossing, and regular dental visits every six months.

At KentEndo you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment, ensuring that you can keep your teeth as healthy as possible for as long as possible. If you would like more information or have any questions do not hesitate to ring the surgery on 01622 225555.