Root Canal Treatment And You
A root canal treatment involves drilling a hole into a decayed tooth and removing the soft centre, known as the dental pulp.
Root Canal
10 December 2022
When most people hear the phrase “root canal” they instantly panic.
However, with today’s improved local anaesthetics, state-of-the-art equipment and advanced treatment methods — root canals are no longer something to be afraid of.
A procedure for damaged teeth that helps to avoid tooth extraction, root canals are a common practice. They treat teeth that have been damaged by:
- Physical Trauma To The Area
- Fracturing Caused By Injury
- Cracked Or Broken Fillings
- Poor Oral Hygiene In General
- And Many Other Causes
While there is a range of dental solutions used in restoring a damaged tooth, the particular treatment will depend on your case as well as the extent of the issue. If your tooth has been severely damaged, a root canal is most likely to be your dentist’s recommendation.
What Is A Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment involves drilling a hole into a decayed tooth and removing the soft centre, known as the dental pulp. The dental pulp is made up of connective tissue, nerves, and blood supply, and extends into the roots of the tooth.
It can take several appointments for your dentist to clean and shape the hole inside the tooth before placing a sterile filling inside. They may also insert small support into the root canals to strengthen the tooth and cap the tooth with an artificial crown if necessary.
What Are The Steps Of A Root Canal?
- A local anaesthetic is administered via injection
- The affected tooth is isolated from the rest of the mouth, to avoid contamination
- A small hole is drilled through the affected tooth allowing for precise access
- Diseased and dead tissue is removed from the tooth
- The resulting canals are disinfected and shaped to allow them to receive fillings and sealer
- The tooth is cleaned and disinfected again
- A temporary or permanent filling material is placed in the tooth and the tooth is temporarily sealed
- A permanent restoration (a filling or a crown) is placed on the tooth
When Is A Root Canal Treatment Needed?
A root canal treatment is needed to save a badly infected or damaged tooth. When the dental pulp is diseased, bacteria will start to multiply inside of the tooth. This can lead to an infection or abscess — which is a pocket of pus that forms at the end of the tooth’s root. If left untreated, this can lead to loss of the tooth or even more severe complications.
What Symptoms Suggest I Need A Root Canal Treatment?
In some cases, there are no symptoms suggesting a tooth needs root canal therapy. However, common signs may include:
- Severe toothaches when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that continues after the stimulus is removed
- Darkening of the tooth
- Swollen and tender gums
- Persistent pimples on the gums
- A visible hole in the tooth
- Swelling of the face or neck
Recovery From Root Canal
There is, of course, a healing period while the body repairs the area surrounding the tooth. However, after the dental anaesthesia has worn off, you can usually eat and drink as usual and resume your normal daily activities. You may experience some discomfort, particularly while biting, but that should subside within a day or so. If pain persists or you feel like something isn’t right, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
The Innovative Dental Advantage
If you’re in need of a root canal treatment, choose a practice with years of experience, advanced equipment and staff that are committed to achieving the best results for you.
At Innovative Dental Moonee Ponds, we use cutting-edge tools like digital dental x-rays and intraoral cameras to make sure we develop a comprehensive understanding of your oral health.
To book your appointment today, contact us at (03) 9346 8333 or click here to make an online booking.