Hi, my name is Cristina Parenti and I am accepting endodontic referrals here at Colchester Dental Specialist Centre. So endodontics involves the treatment of the root canal system, so most of the time it's caused by the nerve inside the tooth dying and causing an infection at the tip of the roots. This can sometimes lead to an abscess. Our role is to enter the tooth and remove the dead or diseased nerve and the infection in order to try and save the tooth. So we do get some anxious patients coming through our doors, especially for endodontics. There is a myth going around that endodontics is one of the most horrible procedures to have in dentistry. But actually quite a few of my patients do fall asleep in the chair. And for those anxious patients we do recommend that they bring some music with them so they can bring this in the form of wearing headphones or earphones. We also play music in the practise and the surgery and we have a television screen above the patient chair. So when a patient is first referred to me they are booked in for a consultation. So we have a 30 minute chat about the problem that your dentist has preferred you in for. You will have X-rays, possibly a scan of the tooth if it's more complex, as well as a clinical examination and some clinical tests. By the end of the consultation, we usually discuss the problem, alternative treatments, treatment risks and benefits as well as treatment costs. So the entire session is used to discuss every aspect of your problem and you should be leaving here essentially knowing exactly what your next appointment involves. The next appointment usually is an over an hour and a half to two hours and the root canal is done in either one or two sessions. Each session will involve removing the infection from the tooth and cleaning the tooth out thoroughly and then placing a root filling with a usually a white filling on top. You're then sent back to your dentist for a cap or crown on the tooth and then we review you in 12 months time to make sure everything's healing really well. The moment you see that it's, you know, all gone to plan on the X-ray it, it, it does give you a sense of relief. It's also fantastic to see our patients afterwards, especially a year down the line where they're now no longer in pain and their swelling has resolved. They can now eat properly on that tooth. It it just is a real humbling feeling to see those patients who once came into your chair almost crying to now smiling as if you know nothing was ever the problem.