Root Canal Dentist in Braddon, Canberra
Root canal therapy is an effective treatment for saving an infected tooth that has been damaged due to decay or injury. Here at Braddon Dental Surgery, we have a gentle, precise approach to relieving pain, preserving natural teeth, and restoring oral health.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root Canal Therapy is the treatment of an infected tooth by removing all bacteria and damaged tissue from within the root canals. The tooth is then restored and remains preserved, meaning you can still use it to function.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
A root canal is required when there is infection or inflammation of the pulp (tissue within the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels). This can be caused by:
- Untreated decay that has spread deep in towards the nerve
- Trauma to the tooth
- Extensive dental work (e.g. large fillings)
- Cracks within a tooth or extreme wear.
Signs you may need a root canal include:
- Hot and cold sensitivity that lasts a long time
- Swelling or soreness in the gums
- Spontaneous ache or throbbing of the tooth
- Pain when you chew or touch the tooth.
The Root Canal Therapy Process
Through examination and x-rays, your dentist will diagnose your dental pain and determine if a root canal is required. To improve the chances of success, root canal treatment should commence as soon as possible. This type of treatment will generally require at least two longer appointments, one to clean out all the bacteria and infected tissue from within the tooth, and the second to seal up the tooth again to prevent re-infection.
Once a root canal has been completed, it is generally recommended that the tooth be restored with a crown or a protective filling. This is to prevent fracture of the tooth and re-infection from new bacteria.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment allows preservation of your natural tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. Keeping a natural tooth can provide many benefits such as:
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance of a natural tooth compared to an artificial tooth
- Maintaining proper function for chewing
- Prevent shifting of adjacent teeth.
Root Canal Therapy Aftercare
After your appointment, once the anaesthetic wears off you may experience some pain or discomfort around the tooth. This normally only lasts a day or two, and can be treated with pain relief medication. If the pain persists for longer than a few days, additional treatment to the tooth may be required.
Is root canal therapy painful?
If a tooth is badly infected, some discomfort can be experienced at your initial appointment to get you out of pain. However, despite common misconceptions, root canal therapy is a relatively painless procedure.
How long does a root canal procedure take?
Root canal therapy is quite an intricate procedure and therefore can take a little longer than general dental procedures. As a guideline, one appointment can be between an hour to 90 minutes long depending on the complexity of treatment.
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
A root canal treated tooth is not considered as strong and durable as an untreated tooth. This can be due to factors such as large fillings or cavities within the tooth prior to root canal treatment, as well as loss of structure once the infected nerves and blood vessels are removed from the tooth. This is especially true for back teeth, which is why a crown or large protective filling is generally recommended after root canal is completed.
How successful is root canal therapy?
Root canal treatment is successful in most cases, and if good care is taken of the treated tooth it can last for many years. Your tooth will not be recommended for root canal treatment if it is suspected that the treatment is unlikely to succeed. Some factors affecting success of a root canal treatment include:
- Extent of damage to the tooth – if majority of the tooth is lost due to decay or a pre-existing large filling, the chance of root canal success is decreased.
- Co-existing gum disease – loss of bone support due to gum disease can affect the longevity of a tooth regardless of if a root canal is successful or not.
- Trauma – success of a root canal treatment can decrease if the tooth has suffered from trauma.
What happens if I delay treatment for an infected tooth?
Delaying root canal treatment can lead to several complications to do with your tooth and overall health. Existing pain can worsen, and infection can spread to other areas of the surrounding bone and, in severe cases, to the neck or the bloodstream. In some cases, if the cause of infection (such as decay) is left untreated for too long, it can lead to loss of the tooth.
If you have tooth pain or need Root Canal Therapy, contact us today, or book your appointment online.
