Tooth Fillings & Root Canals
At Dental at Atune, our caring and knowledgeable Newcastle dentists provide fillings and root canal treatments in order to restore decaying teeth. Based in Cardiff, patients from Newcastle and surrounding areas visit us because we aim to provide pain-free treatments in a warm and relaxing environment. Our team does everything possible to ease any concerns you may have and will strive to make going to the dentist an enjoyable experience.
If you believe you need a tooth filling, a root canal, or you’re simply not sure, book a consultation with us today. We’re here to provide oral care with a smile.
Dental Fillings
Thankfully, we no longer use silver-coloured fillings. Today, we use composite resin fillings, which are white or tooth-coloured. Firstly, our dentist will remove all decay from the tooth. Then the tooth is filled using special adhesives and an incremental build-up of composite resin filling. Once this is done, the filling is shaped and polished. In some cases, we characterise a filling using stains to give the filling a natural look.
Talk to our caring team today to discuss the best treatment option for you.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment is required when a regular filling won’t fix the decayed tooth. Ideally, saving natural teeth is the best option, and a root canal is generally the way to go.
Our root canal treatments are typically completed within 2 to 3 visits which are spaced a few weeks apart. The reason we book in multiple appointments is to ensure there isn’t any infection present once the treatment is completed.
You may need 2 or more visits to complete the root canal treatment. This is dependent on the root canals in your tooth. Each patient is different, so the exact procedure may differ from the one outlined below. Talk to us today if you have any questions.
Root Canal Procedure
Our root canal procedure is generally as follows:
- A local anaesthetic is applied. If the pulp is infected, we may not need to use anaesthesia because the tooth may no longer have any feeling.
- The affected tooth is wrapped in thin rubber (rubber dam) to prevent contamination of root canals.
- The decayed portions of the tooth and affected filling are removed.
- We then use a special drill and small instruments to clean and shape the root canals – thus removing bacteria, pus and debris. The root canals might need to be hollowed out or shaped to ensure a smooth interior surface.
- The tooth’s interior is flushed with disinfectants and then dried.
- If the root canal is not infection-free, it may be medicated, and the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling material. This may require a few weeks or months before the pulp canal can be filled. If we determine that bacteria are still present at your following appointment, the cleaning procedure may be repeated, and the tooth will once again be medicated. This stage will be repeated until the tooth is bacteria-free.
- The infection-free root canal is then sealed with long-lasting barrier materials (the root filling), which is usually a rubber-based material called ‘gutta-percha’.
- The tooth is then restored, and the biting surfaces require protection – an artificial biting surface for the tooth is fashioned out of regular filling material.
- In many cases, where there is considerable loss of tooth structure, an artificial crown made from porcelain may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do tooth fillings last?
A filling will typically last anywhere between 7 to 20 years. This is dependent on the size of the filling, location and how well you take care of your teeth
Do dental fillings hurt?
We do everything we can to ensure dental filings are painless. Patients may experience soreness/tenderness the next few days after having a tooth filled. If the pain persists for more than a week, contact your dentist.
Is a root canal painful?
A common misconception is that a root canal treatment is painful. Thankfully, due to anaesthetic, a root canal treatment is no more painful than having a tooth filled.
Do I need to have X-rays?
Some patients are apprehensive about X-rays because of the risks associated with radiation exposure. That’s why dentists only opt for X-rays when absolutely essential. X-rays provide dentists with important information in regard to the condition of your teeth and can identify any hidden tooth decay, issues with the roots of your teeth, and issues with your facial bones/jaw.
Is it safe to receive an X-ray while pregnant?
The mother’s body, plus a lead apron being placed over by the dentist means that the baby is well-protected in the womb. The risks are diminished further when it comes to dental X-rays because the machine used emits its beam in a very focused way, directly focusing on a small area of your jaw.
