Root Canal Treatment
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Every tooth has a canal that goes from the crown to the root of the tooth. Each canal contains tooth nerves, connective tissue and blood vessels (dental pulp). If the dental pulp becomes damaged or infected, a root canal treatment will be recommended by your dentist to save the tooth.
A root canal treatment (also known as root canal therapy or endodontic treatment) is a dental procedure that removes the infected or inflamed dental pulp from the inside of a tooth. After the infected dental pulp has been removed, the tooth is treated, cleaned and sealed with a temporary filling or crown to prevent further damage and infection.
Fully developed adult teeth can survive without the dental pulp because the surrounding tissues continue to nourish and protect them.
Signs that You May Need Root Canal Treatment:
Root canal treatments are performed on infected or severely damaged teeth. When your tooth is cracked or damaged, it is easy for bacteria to enter the tooth, which can result in an infection or tooth abscess.
When a tooth becomes infected with a root canal infection, antibiotics may help with the initial inflammation and pain, but they won’t completely eliminate the infection, which is where root canal treatments come in.
If an infected tooth is left for too long without being treated, it may have to be removed because it will be too damaged for even a root canal to fix.
Teeth can become infected due to various factors, including:
- A cracked tooth
- A cavity
- Gum disease
- Loose or cracked fillings
- Tooth decay
- Damage to the tooth from an injury
- Wear and tear
Understanding Symptoms of a
Root Canal Infection
There are several warning signs that you may need root canal treatment.
These signs include:
- Severe and persistent tooth pain
- A sore or swollen neck and face
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to cold and hot food/drinks
- Swollen and tender gums
- Pus around an infected tooth
- Dark tooth colour
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- An abscess (like a small pimple or blister) forming on the gum
- Loose teeth
- A persistent bad taste in the mouth
- Severe and persistent tooth pain
- A sore or swollen neck and face
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to cold and hot food/drinks
- Swollen and tender gums
- Pus around an infected tooth
- Dark tooth colour
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- An abscess (like a small pimple or blister) forming on the gum
- Loose teeth
- A persistent bad taste in the mouth
If you have some of these symptoms, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
What Happens During a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal procedure is usually carried out by a dentist or endodontist (a specialist who specialises in treating the dental pulp). The root canal procedure includes the following steps:
-
X-Ray Taken
An x-ray of your infected tooth and the surrounding area will be taken so it can be studied closer. -
Local Anaesthesia
The patient is given local anesthesia to numb the area around the infected tooth. This anesthesia allows the patient to feel minimal pain during the procedure. -
A Dental Dam is Inserted
A rubber or latex material, known as a dental dam, is inserted into the mouth to separate the tooth being treated and to keep it clean. A hole in this dental dam allows the dental tools to reach the tooth but also reduces any risk of contamination or infection spreading to the rest of the mouth. -
Removing the Infected Dental Pulp
A dental drill is used to make a hole in the tooth's surface so the infected dental pulp can be removed. -
Treating and Cleaning the Tooth
After the dental pulp is removed, an antibacterial solution is applied to the tooth to clean and treat it. This solution prevents any further bacteria growth. An antibiotic is applied to the tooth to kill off any infection that may be left. -
Filling and Sealing the Tooth
After the tooth has been cleaned thoroughly, a filling made from gutta-percha (a natural latex) and a sealing paste is applied to the tooth. This filling prevents any bacteria from entering the tooth again and protects it from further damage and decay. -
Crown is Inserted
If the tooth is more damaged, the dentist or endodontist may place a dental crown over it, strengthening it. The temporary filling will be removed beforehand if a dental crown is required. -
After Care
Your dentist or endodontist will recommend over-the-counter pain relief medication or prescribe further antibiotics if needed. They will also let you know if any follow-up appointments are required.
They will give you diet and oral hygiene instructions to follow for a few weeks while your tooth heals from the procedure.
Following your dentist or endodontist’s instructions will give your tooth the best chance to heal quickly.
What Are the Benefits of a Root Canal Treatment?
The benefits of a root canal treatment include:
01
Pain Relief
The most significant benefit of a root canal treatment is undoubtedly the pain relief. People with an infected tooth usually suffer from severe pain that can disrupt their daily life and negatively impact their overall health.
Removing the infection from the tooth and treating it will eliminate this pain.
02
Keep Natural Teeth
A root canal treatment allows patients to keep their real teeth, as it removes any infection from the tooth and prevents further decay and damage.
If an infected or damaged tooth needs to be removed, you will most likely need further treatments to get the tooth replaced, which results in more time and money.
03
Prevents Further Infection
A tooth infection can become incredibly serious and can have a big impact on your overall health if it is left untreated.
Getting a root canal treatment as soon as possible ensures that the infection won't spread anywhere else in your body.
04
Impression Taking
An infected tooth is not pretty to look at, as it often becomes discoloured, and there may even be abscesses on your gums. Getting rid of the infection and having a filling or dental crown placed on the infected tooth instantly improves its appearance.
05
Cost-Effective
A root canal treatment is relatively cheaper than having an infected tooth removed, as a tooth extraction often also includes follow-up appointments for dental implants to be inserted.
06
Pain-Free Procedure
Although a root canal procedure may sound daunting, it is far less painful than most people expect - especially with modern dental innovations and technology. Anesthesia makes the mouth numb, so no pain is felt.
Are There Any Complications While Doing Root Canal Treatment?
As with any medical procedure, there is always a small risk of complications arising. Some of the complications of a root canal treatment
include:
-
Reinfection
Reinfection can always occur when you already have a tooth infection. This can be due to an inexperienced dentist not cleaning the tooth canals thoroughly enough or because patients may not follow the aftercare instructions very closely.
To ensure that your root canal is effective, follow the dentist or endodontist's instructions, and call your dentist if you have any concerns about how your tooth is healing. -
Discolouration
When the infected dental pulp is removed, it effectively kills off the tooth, which may result in some slight tooth discolouration. -
Weakened Teeth
Teeth that have been treated by a root canal treatment can become brittle, meaning that they can be more prone to cracking than other teeth. This is why a dental crown is recommended after a root canal procedure. -
Nerve Damage
In rare cases, the surrounding tooth nerves can become damaged during a root canal procedure, which can cause tingling or numbness. -
Allergic Reaction
Some patients may not realise that they are allergic to some of the materials used in a root canal procedure and suffer from an allergic reaction. -
Sinus Issues
Root canals can sometimes cause problems with your sinuses due to liquid in the jaw leaking through the membrane in the nose. Although this is not serious, it can cause annoying symptoms like congestion and headaches.
Atria Dental is a family-owned dental clinic with a friendly and professional team that has years of experience carrying out dental treatments. We understand the importance of our patients and are more than happy to sit down with you and listen to any questions or concerns you may have before beginning any treatment. We put your care and comfort before all else.
To learn more about root canal procedures or our other services, please contact us at 02 9160 7758 or visit our website: https://atriadentalgordon.com.au/.
