When Is Root Canal Treatment Needed?
Root Canal treatment is needed when there is prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, tenderness of the overlying gums or a bad taste in the mouth. If inflammation or infection is not treated, it can eventually cause pain, swelling, and loss of the supporting bone.
What Are The Advantages Of Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment helps to save the teeth which otherwise would require to be extracted. Once the root canal treatment is carried out, all the tissues within the tooth are extracted, however, the tooth will function as normal and can be maintained with good dental care.
How Is Root Canal Treatment Carried Out?
- Our dentist will use a local anesthetic to put our patient at ease. Our dentist will remove infected or inflamed pulp as the first step in saving your tooth.
- Using small, specially designed hand or rotary files, the root canals are cleaned and shaped to a form that can be sealed. Debris within the canals is removed by flushing with an anti-bacterial solution.
- The canals are finally filled or sealed with an inert material called gutta-percha. Then the tooth is restored to full shape and function by either a permanent filling or a crown, depending on how much of the tooth is left.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
We use local anesthesia to minimise the pain of the treatment. However, after treatment, the tooth may be sensitive or tender for a few days due to inflammation of the surrounding tissues. This discomfort can be helped by taking over the counter painkillers.