Used to clear a tooth of infection, root canal treatment is an effective way of restoring health and function to teeth that have been damaged or decayed.
When infection damages the pulp at the centre of a tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary. Without such treatment, the tooth is left open to decay and the infection may spread, often resulting in pain and the formation of abscesses.
In most cases, root canal infection is caused when mouth-based bacteria makes its way into the tooth. This can be an after effect of tooth decay, trauma to the teeth or a leaky filling, which occurs when bacteria infiltrates gaps in a filling. Such infection can be painful, trigger sensitivities and result in inflammation.
Symptoms of root canal infection include loose teeth, pain when eating, swelling of the face or gums and changes in the appearance of a tooth. In some instances, this type of infection can even interfere with sleeping and other aspects of everyday life.
At Aurora Dental and Implant Clinics, your dentist will be able to determine whether or not you need root canal treatment by performing a simple X-ray. They will then talk you through your next steps.
Remember – if you experience persistent toothache, develop new symptoms or your concerns worsen, you should visit your dentist at your earliest convenience.
Root canal treatment initially involves the affected tooth being cleared of infection by your dentist. The pulp and nerve are then removed, with the tooth thoroughly cleaned before being sealed to prevent any infection recurring.
In general, root canal treatment is not considered to be painful and can ensure that a damaged tooth doesn’t need to be removed.
In order to make things more seamless, your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to numb the affected area prior to treatment. This will optimise your comfort throughout the root canal procedure. You may experience a small amount of discomfort during recovery, however, this should be short-lived and can be treated with over-the-counter medicine.
