What are Root Canals?
Save Your Tooth with Our Milton & Woolloongabba Dentists
A root canal is often the best way to save an infected tooth. Saving your tooth is crucial because it works better than an artificial tooth for chewing, and losing a tooth can lead to other problems in your mouth. Replacing a lost tooth with an artificial one often requires more complex dental procedures.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a procedure that repairs the damage inside the tooth. It involves treating the pulp or nerve space and is also known as endodontic treatment. Our friendly Milton & Woolloongabba dentists can perform root canal treatment to help you save your tooth.
Why Choose Us for Root Canal Treatment?
- Expert Care with 20+ years of experience
- Convenient locations in Woolloongabba and Milton
- Comfortable & stress-free appointment
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A Root Canal procedure is performed in multiple stages:
Stage 1: Initial Cleaning of the Root Canal
Small files are used to carefully clean the root canal and remove nerves. To ensure the tooth becomes pain-free, special medications are used to remove the infection in the tooth. The time required typically takes 60minutes, depending on the complexity of the tooth.
Stage 2: Detailed Cleaning of the Root Canal
Detailed cleaning of the root canal is performed, all the way to the root tip. This ensures bacteria are eliminated, so the tooth remains pain-free. Time required is 60-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the tooth. Depending on the tooth requiring treatment, stages 1 and 2 of the root canal are sometimes combined.
Stage 3: Final Filling of the Root Canal
A Sterile filling is placed in the roots to seal the tooth. The canals are carefully filled with Gutta-percha to ensure a thorough seal. The time required takes 60-90 minutes, depending on the specific tooth being treated and the complexities of that tooth.
Common Causes of Root Canals:
- Decay: If the bacteria from a cavity reach the centre of your tooth, where the pulp is located, a filling won’t resolve the discomfort. In this case, a root canal is needed.
- Deep restorations: Having a large, deep filling placed close to the pulp can lead to the need for a root canal.
- Trauma: Sometimes, the pulp of the tooth can die years after trauma to the tooth has occurred. This can lead to the need for a root canal.
- Dead tooth: Some people have pulp damage without any symptoms (pain-free). Your dentist may discover the dead tooth via X-rays, which can show bone destruction, or by finding an abscess in the gums. It’s crucial to remove the infection in these circumstances. Long-term dental infections have been linked to heart disease and strokes.
Symptoms that Indicate Root Canal Therapy is Needed:
- Sensitivity to Hot and Cold: If you have severe pain that lingers after a hot or cold stimulus has been removed, it may be a sign that the pulp has irreversible damage. However, sensitivity does not linger, it could be due to decay, gum recession, or a crack in the tooth.
- Pressure Pain: If you experience pressure pain that shoots down the root and continues to throb, it may indicate the need for root canal therapy.
Abscess: If you notice a swelling or pus coming out of the gums adjacent to the infected tooth, it’s a clear sign that Root Canal therapy is needed.