Endodontic therapy – better known as root canal treatment – is a procedure used for teeth with dying or infected nerves. This treatment helps preserve your natural tooth, relieving pain and preventing the need for extraction. With modern techniques, root canals are more comfortable and effective than ever.
When someone has pain from tooth decay, a filling is usually recommended. But once a cavity reaches the nerve of a tooth, fillings are no longer effective. The restoration would only fill in the decayed area but not treat the source of the pain. The only other options are to remove the tooth altogether (which can leave a big gap and cause other issues) or a root canal procedure.
Root canal therapy is a specialised procedure that takes 2-3 visits to complete. Although more complex than a filling, it eliminates the source of your pain and allows you to keep the tooth for the long term.
During endodontic treatment, the tooth is thoroughly numbed. We then remove the area of decay along with the infected nerve. When the canal is cleaned out, we medicate the hollow chamber and place a filling material down into it to seal your tooth off from recurring infections.
After a root canal is complete, we recommend covering your tooth with a dental crown. The crown protects the now non-vital, brittle tooth enamel so that it doesn’t wear down or chip from everyday use.
Endodontic treatment is recommended in situations involving:
We’ll want to take a small digital X-ray of your tooth root to determine the extent of the damage. Additional testing – such as temperature or pressure checks – may also be necessary. After your exam, we’ll consult as to whether a root canal is best for your individual situation.
Since tooth decay is a bacterial infection, it can spread deeper into the tooth or adjacent teeth. Treating it quickly helps prevent the spread. But once the cavity reaches the inner nerve chamber, the tissues inside of your tooth become infected or can abscess. At that point, a root canal is the only appropriate course of treatment.
If you had a traumatic injury to your tooth, such as an athletic accident, it may take up to several years before the nerve exhibits signs of tooth death.
It’s normal for some people to feel nervous, especially when it comes to slightly longer dental procedures. Your comfort is crucial to us. We have a variety of sedation options available – ranging from happy gas to IV sedation – to help you relax.
You can expect your root canal treatment to feel similar to a filling, but just a little longer. Most of our patients usually tell us how comfortable the process is and often fall asleep during their appointment. Even if you don’t request sleep dentistry, you can enjoy our noise-cancelling headphones as you listen to music or watch a movie throughout the procedure.
At Future Dental Centre, we prioritise preserving your natural teeth for as long as possible. A root canal can significantly extend the lifespan of your tooth, preventing unnecessary removal. Extracting a tooth creates extra space in your bite, which may lead to shifting or misalignment of surrounding teeth.
Over time, this can result in further complications, potentially requiring additional treatments such as orthodontic or extensive cosmetic dental treatment.
