Root Canal Treatment
Also known as endodontics, root canal treatment aims to primarily save a decayed tooth.
Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)
What is a root canal treatment?
A root canal is a dental procedure that is used to treat an infected or inflamed tooth pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessels. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause pain and swelling in and around the teeth.
Root canal treatment is used to remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the tooth and to clean and seal the root canal cavity. This prevents further infection and helps to preserve the tooth.
Who needs a root canal treatment?
Your dentist will be able to tell you if you need a root canal treatment, but some of the most common symptoms that may indicate you require a root canal treatment are:
- Toothache
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums near the infected tooth
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Discolouration of the tooth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to let your dentist know at your next appointment.
Do I need fissure sealants as an adult?
Adults can benefit from fissure sealants to protect their teeth from cavities. If you have deep grooves or crevices in your teeth, or if you are at high risk of developing cavities, you may want to consider getting fissure sealants.
What is the root canal process?
The root canal process usually involves the following steps, however, your treatment plan will be thoroughly discussed with you during your initial consultation:
- Your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic to numb the affected tooth and surrounding area.
- Your dentist will then proceed to remove the decayed part of the tooth.
- The dentist will then work their way to the pulp chamber. This is where the infected pulp will reside.
- The pulp will be removed from the crown and root of the tooth, and the canals will be professionally cleaned.
- The step to follow the cleaning will be the placement of dental-grade filling or cement. This will seal the root canals.
- Once completed, a temporary filling will be placed into the crown of the tooth. Typically, you would be recalled for the placement of the permanent filling and a dental crown in subsequent visits to follow.
A root canal is a treatment that, in some cases, can be carefully completed in just one visit or your dentist may advise multiple dental visits if the affected tooth is grossly infected. The duration of each appointment will depend on factors such as the severity of the infection or the structure of the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment in Macquarie
If you’ve been putting off the dentist for a while or are ready to book your routine visit with us, contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out which treatment is right for you.
We can’t wait to welcome you into our state-of-the-art Macquarie practice.
