Endodontics: This is the study of saving teeth and is performed by an Endodontist. An Endodontist’s most common treatment is that of the Root Canal, this is where the nerve of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected due to decay and/or exposure from a deep cavity over time, or following the traumatic fracture of a tooth.

This treatment is usually the one most feared by patients, but in our surgery we have treated thousands of patients with a 98% success rate.

This treatment involves using a series of different size files that travel down the nerve chamber to clean out all of the nerve, decay and infection. The files can go as far as the end of the root where the infection has caused an abscess. When the dying or dead nerve has been removed successfully, the cavity that remains is then filled with special material that is inserted into the nerve chamber; this replaces the nerve and then the tooth is temporarily filled.

After a short time your regular dentist can fit a crown on top, as permanent protection to keep the tooth strong and endure many years of chewing. The process can be carried out in 1-3 visits, with zero pain during the treatment. If pain is expected after the treatment, pain killers are given to the patient whilst in the dental chair, ensuring an absolutely pain-free experience. In severe cases antibiotics will also be necessary.

We have also successfully dealt with many cases that had not been treated correctly by other less-professional operators and in doing so, saved the patient from requiring extractions.

In some patients, Root Canal treatment that was carried out many years ago may still be causing discomfort and in cases where calcium deposit build-up narrows a Root canal so much, that it makes it impossible to treat in the normal way; then surgery may be needed to remedy these aliments.

Another treatment called ‘Pulpotomy’ is used to remove decay of the nerve in the crown of the tooth, but leave the rest of the nerve in the root intact. This is then filled in the normal manner. This treatment is common in children, where it is very important for the tooth / teeth to remain - as placement for the adult teeth.

Pulpectomy: This treatment is different to that of a ‘pulpotomy’ and is where all of the nerve is removed from the crown and root canal following the on-set of infection. When this infection is not treated, the pus that forms at the end of root/s of the tooth will spread, damaging the bone surrounding the tooth and cause the tooth to become loose and possibly the tooth will fall out, or it will have to be extracted.

Obviously an extraction is cheaper in the short term, but in the long term a crown, bridge or Implant may be required.