On a recent trip to Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, one of Eastern Europe’s best old towns, it was like Venice without the canals!

The highlight of the trip in Dubrovnik was strolling the scenic mile around the Old Town’s city walls, the root or heart of the city. The monumental walls that encircle Dubrovnik punctuated by towers and overlooking the sea, are undoubtedly the city’s most famous feature.

With talk of roots and canals…root canal treatment comes to mind!

Sunita Verma, Principal at Sparkle Dental Boutique says, “Root canal treatment is a procedure needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (pulp) is infected through decay or injury. In the early stages, you may not feel any pain but sometimes the tooth may darken in colour which is a sign that the nerve of the tooth has died or is dying.  If the nerve supply of the tooth becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth and an abscess may form.”

Sunita goes on to say, “An abscess is an inflamed area and sometimes it looks like a bubble in which pus collects which can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms of an abscess can range from dull ache to severe pain, sensitivity to hot and cold and the tooth may be tender when you bite. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.”  

What does the treatment involve?  

The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection over 2 or 3 visits.

At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abscesses, which may be present, will also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped ready for the filling. A temporary filling is put in and the tooth is left to settle.

The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled. This tooth is now sometimes referred to as a `dead’ tooth. As a dead tooth is more brittle, it may be necessary to restore the tooth with a crown to provide extra support and strength to the tooth.