Root Canal

Are You Concerned about Root Canal Treatment?

We use root canal therapy to save teeth that otherwise may require a dental extraction. Many patients would rather save their natural teeth than face ongoing treatment to replace a missing tooth or suffer from a gap in their smiles.

It’s time to look past the bad reputation of the root canal and see it for the valuable, pain-relieving procedure it actually is. Today’s root canal treatment should feel no more painful than a common dental filling because we carefully administer the appropriate anaesthetic to ensure your comfort.

Root Canal Therapy

Your root canal is the area of your tooth that houses the pulp and nerve. Sometimes this part of the tooth becomes infected. This can happen due to deep dental decay, trauma, a clenching and grinding habit or for completely unknown reasons.

When this happens, not only is the tooth painful and sensitive, the infection can also spread to other areas of the mouth as well as other teeth and put your oral health at risk. The most effective way to treat this infection is with root canal therapy.

What to Expect during Root Canal Treatment

Once the anaesthetic takes effect, and you are completely numb, your dentist will create a small access in the tooth and remove any infected tissue. The interior of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned out to make sure that no infection is left. An antibiotic medication may be placed inside the tooth to prevent further infection.

After enough time to heal properly, we will usually place a dental crown over the root canal tooth. This is necessary because the structure of the tooth will be weakened, and a restoration will protect the tooth from breakage and also allow you to chew comfortably. We offer highly aesthetic dental crowns to protect the health and appearance of your smile.

Do I Need a Root Canal?

If you have been experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call our surgery. You may have an infection that could require treatment.

• Severe pain in one or more teeth
• Pain that is aggravated by chewing or other pressure
• Pain and sensitivity worsened by hot or cold temperatures
• Darkening of one or more teeth
• A pimple on the gums
• Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek

Sometimes, we can identify the need for a root canal at your routine dental visit before it causes pain. This is one of the reasons that regular dental x-rays are so beneficial. 

Call our clinic to arrange an appointment. Root canal therapy may be necessary to eliminate your pain and reduce your stress.