It used to be that if a tooth was infected or the nerve in the tooth was dying, the tooth would have to be extracted.

Today because of a procedure known as ‘Root Canal Treatment’ the infection can be treated, the injured nerve taken out and the pain associated with such symptoms alleviated. We will always find you the best possible treatment to help keep your natural tooth.

Causes and Symptoms

A common reason for root canal treatment is an infected or abscessed tooth, which may result from a deep cavity or old filling, periodontal disease, or even a fractured tooth. Sometimes trauma like a sharp blow to the mouth can result in damage to the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. Should you experience any of the following symptoms, please consult with your Dentist as soon as possible.

• Lingering tooth sensitivity to cold or hot liquids
• Tooth sensitivity to sweets
• Tooth pain to biting pressure
• Spontaneous, constant or intermittent tooth pain
• Severe or throbbing tooth pain
• Tissue swelling of the face

The Procedure

Root canal treatment removes the pulp tissue, which is composed of a nerve and blood supply within the tooth. After all this material has been removed from within the root, the canal (or canals if it is a multi rooted tooth), are sterilised and sealed with a material that prevents bacteria from re-entering and infecting the canals.

Long-Term Well-being

The good news with Root Canal therapy is that it restores an unhealthy tooth to a state of health and comfort. The bad news is that the tooth is now somewhat more brittle and prone to breakage. It is for this reason that your Dentist will usually recommend that a Root Canal treated tooth be restored with a crown or onlay so as to help protect it from breakage. This particularly applies to molars (back teeth) which bear most of the forces during chewing. Your Dentist will advise you of such a need when planning or commencing Root Canal treatment.

Patient Comfort

Root Canal work is not normally uncomfortable, and in some instances can even be performed with no local anaesthetic (injection) and no pain!. The discomfort associated with Root Canal is due to the infection or inflammation in the pulp of the tooth, and the Root Canal treatment actually removes the pain rather than causing it.