Root Canal Treatment - For Relief from Extreme Tooth Pain
Root canal treatment is an important procedure we perform to save teeth that are infected or inflamed. Commonly, a dental abscess will form as the result of an infected tooth.
Common cause of dental infection and inflammation include:
- Deep decay
- Tooth fracture
- Trauma
- Large restorations
When do I need a Root Canal?
A tooth that requires a root canal often presents with the following symptoms:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain on biting
- Throbbing pain
- Pain at night
- Swelling of the gums or face
- Discolouration of the tooth
Root Canal Treatment Process
Root canal treatment will usually take two to three appointments to complete, and in most cases, you will experience a significant, or full reduction in pain after your first visit.
The treatment involves:
- Removal of necrotic or inflamed nerve tissue along with drainage of infection
- Thorough and systematic cleaning of the root space to remove all affected tooth structure
- Filling and sealing the root system to stop reinfection
Following completion of root canal treatment, it is important to have the tooth restored properly to ensure an adequate seal and to strengthen the tooth. Your dentist will advise what is best for your tooth, but often a crown will be recommended due to its superior abilities to preserve the tooth long term.
Common Concerns and Misconceptions
“I have been told root canal treatment is very painful…”
In the majority of cases, root canal treatment is performed with no pain during treatment whatsoever. Sometimes with a severely inflamed tooth, there can be some tenderness when first treating the tooth but this is often rectified with further administration of anaesthetic. Our dentists will ensure that you experience as little discomfort as possible.
“Teeth often need extracting after root canal treatment…”
Most people that require the tooth to be extracted following treatment have not had the tooth suitably restored following the root canal and the tooth has fractured as a result. This usually occurs because the treating dentist has not advised on placing an appropriate restoration or because the patient has not gone ahead with the suggested restoration. Our dentists will advise how to best retain the tooth following treatment. A crown is the best restoration to strengthen a tooth and prevent subsequent tooth extraction.
“Root canal treatment is very expensive…”
Root canal treatment is a complex treatment and disposable material costs are very high. Treatment costs will vary depending on the complexity, but in general, teeth towards the back of the mouth are more complex and require longer treatment times leading to a greater cost. Nonetheless, root canal treatment is less costly than extracting the tooth and replacing it with an implant.
