What can I expect from root canal therapy?
A large cavity, or a heavily broken down or infected tooth sometimes needs more than a filling or a crown. While tooth extraction is an option, it is often the last resort. Our team at Red Hill Dental Practice focuses on providing the most conservative treatments using the latest technology and techniques. For some patients, we may recommend root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, as an alternative to permanent extraction of a severely damaged tooth. This allows patients to keep the natural tooth in place and avoid tooth extraction.
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful. But when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result, the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with the natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canal are diagnosed by patients’ sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist any symptoms or discomfort occur.
What can I expect from my root canal therapy?
During your root canal therapy, you can expect our dental team to start with skilled local anaesthetic delivery to ensure your comfort. Once you are ready for the treatment, your dentist will create an access point in the tooth. This allows them to remove the dental pulp and excess dead or infected tissue within the tooth’s canals and disinfect the area. Then, the canals are filled with a material known as gutta-percha (natural rubber) and sealed with a composite resin material (white filling). A dental crown is then placed to protect the remaining tooth structure from further damage. This treatment allows patients to maintain their natural tooth.
What are the alternative treatments?
Sadly, once a root canal filling is required alternative options are limited to tooth extraction. Tooth extraction may be followed by nothing (leave a gap), a dental implant (the most popular alternative), a bridge or a denture.
If you would like to understand more please feel free to call Red Hill Dental Practice on (03) 5907 5942.
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