A root canal is an essential dental treatment that can save a severely infected or damaged tooth. Drs. Ian Campbell, Christopher Allington, Lara Loescher and Faraz at Positive Image Dental are dedicated to providing comfortable, effective root canal treatments for patients in Bermuda. Below are some commonly asked questions about root canals.
What is a root canal?
Root canals were developed as a means to extract the infected material (called pulp) inside a tooth. A tooth’s pulp consists of material including blood vessels and nerves which can become infected due to issues ranging from tooth decay to physical trauma. When the inside of a tooth becomes infected, you are likely to experience significant pain and it could even lead to further health complications if untreated. During the procedure, the infected tissue is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, and the space is filled with a biocompatible material to restore function.
Why might I need a root canal?
A root canal may become necessary if the pulp within one of your teeth becomes infected or inflamed. This is typically due to extensive decay, having multiple dental treatments performed on a single tooth, or due to physical damage resulting in cracks, chips, or breaks. If you need a root canal, you may experience symptoms that include significant tooth pain, increased sensitivity to hot or cold substances, prolonged swelling, or tenderness of the gums.
What are the risks of delaying a root canal?
Delaying treatment can lead to serious complications. The infection can spread from the tooth to surrounding tissue, bones, and even other areas of the body. This can result in abscesses, significant pain, swelling, and potential tooth loss. Additionally, avoiding a root canal can increase treatment costs, as more extensive procedures, like tooth extraction or implants, may eventually be needed.
Does a root canal hurt?
Despite common misconceptions, root canals are not particularly painful. With modern techniques and local anesthesia, patients typically experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Any discomfort following the procedure is generally mild and temporary, especially compared to the pain caused by an untreated tooth infection. In fact, many patients feel significant relief once the infected tissue is removed.
What happens after a root canal?
After the root canal is complete, our dentists may recommend placing a crown on the tooth to restore its strength and function. A root canal-treated tooth is more fragile and needs extra protection, particularly for chewing. With proper care, the treated tooth can last a lifetime.
How can I prevent needing a root canal in the future?
The best way to avoid needing a root canal is through preventive care. This includes maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, visiting your dentist for checkups, and addressing cavities or other dental issues early before they worsen.
Ready to Save Your Tooth?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a tooth infection or need more information about root canal treatment in Bermuda, contact our team at Positive Image Dental today at (441) 292-2312. Don’t delay treatment and risk further complications—schedule your consultation now!
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.
The Positive Image Dental team comprises three doctors:
Ian Campbell, DMD graduated
from Saltus Grammar School, Mount Allison University, and McGill University Dental School. He has
over 40 years of experience in dentistry and is reputed for providing high-quality dental care in
Bermuda. Dr. Campbell is passionate about lifelong learning and staying abreast of the latest trends
in dentistry.
Christopher Allington, DMD is
an alumnus of the University of Queens, McGill Dental School, and University of Connecticut. He has
been practicing in Bermuda for over 12 years and is a member, past president, and chair of the
Bermuda Dental Association and Bermuda Dental Board. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General
Dentistry and International Congress of Oral Implantology and is registered for fellowship in the
International Association of Orthodontics.
Dr. Lara Loescher BDS, MFDS
RCSEd is a graduate of Bermuda High School and University of Bristol, a member of the Royal
College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and is completing a Masters in Aesthetic and Restorative
dentistry. She has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry, including Invisalign, for over 13
years and is interested in diabetes management.
Dr. Faraz, BSc, BDS, MA, is
passionate about all aspects of high-quality dentistry, especially endodontics and cosmetic
dentistry. His enthusiasm for cutting-edge technologies and techniques keeps him grounded in
minimally invasive dentistry.
Dr. Faraz earned his doctorate in dentistry from King’s College London in 2011 after earning a
bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences. He worked in Oxfordshire for ten years before moving to London
to work full-time at his family practice. Dr. Faraz routinely pursues additional training to improve
his skill in rebuilding exceptionally natural-looking teeth.
He gains tremendous satisfaction from supporting anxious patients in overcoming their dental phobias
via his passion and patience, restoring confidence in their oral health. Dr. Faraz looks forward to
serving you with all your needs while ensuring your trust is always in safe hands.