We’ve reached the end of September and, after the irregular routines and extra sugar of the summer holidays, it’s very common for small cavities that weren’t causing any symptoms to start making themselves felt. A sharp pain when chewing, a stabbing discomfort that doesn’t go away after something hot, or a swelling on the gum are clear signs that the infection has passed through the enamel and dentine and reached the deepest part of the tooth: the dental pulp, or nerve. When deep tooth decay gets that far, root canal treatment is usually the way to keep the tooth.
At Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic, located in Torre del Mar, we believe in conservative dentistry. Our top priority is always to keep and save your natural teeth before even considering an extraction. Today we want to explain exactly what root canal treatment (endodontics) involves – the famous “killing the nerve” – and why it’s a completely painless procedure that will save your smile. Protect your natural teeth! 🛡️
How does decay reach the nerve? 🤔
A tooth is built like a fortress with several protective layers. However, when plaque bacteria destroy the outer enamel and the dentine and the problem isn’t treated in time, a direct path opens up to the pulp. The pulp is the soft inner tissue that contains the tooth’s blood vessels and nerve endings.
Once it comes into contact with bacteria, the pulp becomes irreversibly inflamed (pulpitis), causing severe, persistent pain. If the infection progresses, the nerve tissue dies and the bacteria can spread into the jawbone, forming a dental abscess or gum boil.
The pain myth: a root canal doesn’t hurt ⚠️
There’s a widespread myth that root canal treatment is painful. In modern dentistry, that simply isn’t true. What really hurts is the active infection the patient has before coming to the clinic; root canal treatment is precisely the fastest way to get rid of that pain at its source.
At our clinic in Torre del Mar we carry out the procedure under highly effective local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any discomfort during the appointment. If you’d like to know more, we explain how microscopic root canal treatment avoids extraction.
How do we carry out root canal treatment at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic? ⚙️
The treatment involves thoroughly cleaning the inside of the tooth to remove the infected tissue and then sealing it tightly so that bacteria can’t get back in:
- Isolation and access: we numb the area and isolate the tooth so we can work in a completely sterile environment.
- Cleaning the root canals: using high-precision instruments together with microscopy or digital radiography, we locate the canals in the roots, remove the affected nerve and thoroughly disinfect the whole cavity.
- Hermetic sealing: we fill the cleaned canals with a biocompatible material that seals the root permanently.
- Rebuilding the tooth: to restore the tooth’s appearance and strength, we rebuild it with high-strength composite or fit a crown if the decay has left the structure very weak.
Keep your teeth for life here in the Axarquía! 😊
A natural tooth saved with root canal treatment and properly restored can last just as long as any other healthy tooth, as long as you keep up good oral hygiene and attend your regular check-ups. Nothing beats your own tooth for appearance, the feel when you chew and the health of your jawbone.
If you notice sudden twinges when eating, extreme sensitivity or constant pain in a back tooth, don’t leave it. Book an appointment at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic in Torre del Mar (Vélez-Málaga). We’ll assess your case straight away to relieve the pain and save your smile. Your health is in the best hands! ✨
