Why would I need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks.

Can all teeth be treated endodontically?

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored.

There are some cases where it would be better for you to have your endodontic treatment provided by a specialist, in some cases this will be funded by the NHS. In order to be eligible for NHS funding, the following are required:

• Good oral health

• otherwise healthy dentition

• Good attendance record

• An x-ray needs to be taken of all teeth requested for treatment

• The tooth must be able to be adequately restored after treatment and be functional.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you can still elect to have your root treatment done privately with a specialist endodontist. The closest specialist endodontist is in Southsea, there is currently no specialist on the Island.