Dental · Mulund East
Root canal treatment in Mulund East
A root canal saves a tooth whose nerve is infected or has died, so the tooth stays in your mouth instead of being taken out. At Good Health, Dr Ria Gerela does most root canals in a single sitting, so a painful tooth is usually dealt with in one appointment rather than three.
What it is
What a root canal is
Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerve and blood vessels, the pulp. Deep decay, a crack or a knock can let bacteria reach it. Once the pulp is inflamed or infected it does not recover on its own, and the result is the deep, throbbing toothache that keeps people awake.
Root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the fine canals inside the root, and seals them. The tooth is then usually protected with a crown so it can take normal chewing again.
What happens at the visit
Step 1
X-ray and diagnosis
A digital dental X-ray shows how far the infection has gone and how many roots the tooth has. Dr Ria confirms whether the tooth can be saved.
Step 2
Cleaning and shaping
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth, the infected pulp is removed, and each canal is cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
Step 3
Sealing and protection
The canals are filled and sealed and the opening is closed. Most back teeth then need a crown, which is planned before you leave.
Sittings and aftercare
How many sittings
Most root canals here are completed in a single sitting. Where the infection is severe or there is a lot of swelling, Dr Ria may place a dressing inside the tooth and finish at a second visit once things have settled. A crown, where needed, is a separate short visit. Fees are confirmed when you book.
Aftercare
- Mild tenderness for a few days is common and usually settles with the painkiller you are advised
- Avoid chewing hard food on that side until the crown is fitted
- Call the dental line if pain or swelling gets worse rather than better
- Do not put off the crown, an unprotected root-treated tooth can crack
Dr Ria Gerela, at the Mulund East clinic
Who does it
Dentist and implantologist, in practice since 2001, with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.
Full profile →Questions patients ask
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic before anything is done, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during the treatment. It is usually the infection before treatment that hurts, and the treatment is what relieves it.
Why is it done in one sitting here?
The surgery is set up for single-sitting root canal treatment, so cleaning, shaping and sealing are done in one appointment where the tooth allows it. Dr Ria will tell you if your tooth is better treated over two visits.
Can the tooth just be removed instead?
Sometimes. If a tooth cannot be saved Dr Ria will say so and discuss removal, including wisdom tooth removal and minor oral surgery, and what should replace it, an implant or a bridge. Keeping your own tooth is usually better where possible.
Related pages
Dental implants
When a tooth cannot be saved.
Crowns and bridges
The crown that protects a root-treated tooth.
All dental treatments
Everything Dr Ria treats at Mulund East.
A toothache should not wait for the weekend
Call the dental line, tell us what hurts, and we will find you a time at Mulund East.