What is a root canal treatment?
A root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, is the treatment of infection within the tooth nerve chambers. This involves the removal of the nerve and other tissue within the nerve chambers and canals that have become infected or inflamed. This will allow your dentist to save your tooth rather than having to extract it.
To fully understand this treatment, it's important to understand the affected parts of your tooth. The first is your pulp chamber, which is the hollowed-out space in the body of your tooth, beneath the protective dentin. The root canal is a narrow section in the pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, your roots will have to be shaped and cleaned to clear out the damaged pulp.
There are a few factors that can lead to your tooth's pulp becoming irritated, infected, or inflamed. This includes severe decay, cracks or chips in the tooth, large fillings, and trauma from a blow to the face.
If you believe you require a root canal treatment, it's important to seek help immediately. Otherwise, the infection will worsen and you may need to have your tooth extracted.
error_outline INDICATIONS FOR Root Canal Treatment:
This treatment may be needed in the following situations:
- Toothaches: If you experience severe pain when chewing or applying pressure to your tooth, you could be suffering from an infection within your nerve chambers.
- Sensitivity: Prolonged painful sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures is a symptom of multiple dental issues, including an inflamed or infected pulp.
- Gum Boils: A gum boil is an abscess that develops on your gums. These boils, which look like swollen bumps, are typically caused by bacteria from tooth decay. They're a common sign of an infected pulp, especially if they're persistent.
- Discolouration: You can learn a lot about your teeth by their colour. Yellow teeth, for example, usually imply poor oral hygiene, while teeth with white spots indicate that you may be using too much fluoride. A darkening tooth, however, is a sign of infection and potentially tooth decay.
- Swelling: Another symptom of a pulp infection is swelling and tenderness in the affected area, as well as the surrounding gums.
How are root canals performed?
Root canal treatments are performed over the course of one or two visits and takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. More complicated or severe cases could take as long as 90 minutes. At Brunswick Family Dental, we go above and beyond to make the procedure as pain-free and stress-free as possible. That's why we put you under a local anaesthetic that numbs your tooth and gums, ensuring your comfort throughout the procedure.
The purpose of the treatment is to remove the unhealthy dental pulp by cleaning and shaping your tooth's roots. Once your root has been irrigated and dried, your dentist will use a filling material to seal the exposed part of your tooth. They may also place a new crown on top to improve the strength of your tooth if it has been heavily decayed.
Depending on the severity of your initial infection, we may ask that you visit us throughout the recovery period. This will allow your dentist to monitor your recovery and ensure that everything is going smoothly.
Unfortunately, not all damaged teeth can be saved by a root canal treatment. After performing a thorough assessment of your teeth, your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment that's best suited to your dental needs. For example, while saving the tooth is preferred, a tooth that's too far gone may need to be extracted. Your dentist can replace the missing tooth with a bridge or implant of some sort.
What are the advantages of getting a root canal?
Root canal treatments are medically necessary for those suffering from infections within their tooth's nerve chambers. Needless to say, there are countless advantages to receiving this treatment. When performed by a professional, root canals treatments can:
done_all KEY BENEFITS TO Root Canal Treatment MAY INCLUDE:
- Be Completed Quickly: Root canal treatments don't take more than a few hours, which are usually split between two appointments. When you receive a root canal treatment from Brunswick Family Dental, you can rest assured that your infection will be treated efficiently with great care.
- Relieve Pain: Pain relief is perhaps the most noticeable benefit of receiving a root canal treatment. The treatment removes your infected tissue and relieves the pressure from inflammation in the pulp. That means you should be feeling 100% again within just a day or two after your root canal treatment is completed.
- Save Your Tooth: If a pulp infection is allowed to persist, it will eventually damage your tooth to the point that it's impossible to save. At that point, the tooth will either fall out on its own or will have to be extracted. With a timely root canal treatment, you can avoid this unfortunate situation altogether and save your natural tooth.
- Prevent Further Damage: As stated above, letting your pulp infection go untreated can have severe consequences, including tooth loss and facial swelling.
- Protect Your Jawbone: Your jawbone may seem entirely separate from your teeth; however, properly treating the root of your tooth will protect your jawbone from eroding. This is because an infection in your tooth's nerve chambers can actually cause bone decay in your jawbone.
- Improve Your Appearance: This sort of infection can have some visually unappealing side effects, including reoccurring gum boils and tooth discolouration. A root canal treatment is sure to boost your confidence by protecting against these and improving the appearance of the affected tooth.
How to Book
location_on Our Location:
- 44 DE CARLE STREET (CNR ALBION ST), BRUNSWICK VICTORIA VIC
