Root Canal Therapy saves your teeth for a better smile…
Saving your teeth for a better smile
Endodontics is the treatment of infection or disease “inside the tooth” designed to save diseased or injured teeth. Endodontics deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the dental pulp (includes the nerve) and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. Endodontics is also referred to as Root Canal Therapy as this is the most common procedure.
Importance of Root Canal Therapy
If your tooth pulp becomes infected, bacteria will begin to grow within the tooth. This growth results in pressure and causes pain as well as possible facial swelling. Root Canal Therapy is necessary when the nerve of a tooth becomes diseased or infected. In such cases the nerve of the tooth must be removed. Previously if a tooth became infected it would have simply been extracted. Today however, every possible step is taken to save all teeth and keep you with your natural teeth for life.
Is it right for you?
Some typical symptoms of endodontic disease include tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness when chewing or to touch, and discoloration of the tooth. If you suffer any of these symptoms you may require endodontic treatment.
What’s involved?
If Root Canal Therapy is necessary, x-rays will be taken at your dental consultation after which a series of appointments would be assigned to you for your Root Canal Therapy. This procedure requires several appointments, time required for treatment will vary depending on the difficulty of your procedure.
Throughout your treatment, our dental practices will ensure every possible step is taken to make you feel comfortable and at ease. We will make certain all of your questions and queries are answered and that we work together as a team to preserve your teeth.
Specialisation
General dentists are qualified and experienced in performing Root Canal Therapy. However difficult cases, such as teeth with narrow or blocked canals or unusual anatomy, will be referred to a specialist Endodontist to ensure you get the highest quality of care. An Endodonist is someone who specialises and limits their practice to root canal therapy and root canal surgery, and use their special training and experience in treating patients.
Find a dentist
Find a dentist who performs Root Canal Therapy and/or specialises in Endodontics.
www.northshoreendodontics.com.au
What does Root Canal Therapy actually mean?
Root canal or endodontic treatment is a process whereby inflamed or dead pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth, enabling a tooth that was causing pain to be retained.
Dental pulp is the soft tissue in the canal that runs through the centre of a tooth. Once a tooth is fully formed it can function normally without its pulp and be kept indefinitely.
After removing the pulp, the root canals are cleaned, sterilised and shaped to a form that can be completely sealed with a filling material to prevent further infection. The treatment can take several appointments, depending on how complex the tooth is, and how long the infection takes to clear.
Subsequently a crown or complex restoration to restore or protect the tooth may be a necessary recommendation, as a tooth after undergoing treatment may be more likely to fracture.
Why do I need Root Canal Therapy?
If you have a damaged tooth, root canal treatment may help to save it. Inside your tooth is soft tissue containing nerves, and blood and lymph vessels, known as the tooth pulp. When the pulp cannot repair itself from disease or injury, it dies. A fracture in a tooth or a deep cavity commonly cause pulp death, as the pulp is exposed to bacteria found in your saliva.
When the pulp becomes infected, it is best to remove it before it spreads to the tooth and surrounding tissues. The whole tooth may be lost if the infection is left untreated. Root Canal Therapy is able to save your tooth.
How long will the restored teeth last?
If you look after your teeth and gums, your root canal treated tooth may last a lifetime. However, you must have regular checkups to ensure that the tissues around it are nourishing the root of your treated tooth.
DENTAL CARE NETWORK™ is an Australian network of dentists and dental pratices offering quality, professional dental services such as teeth whitening, CEREC, TMJ Symptoms Treatment, wisdom teeth removal and porcelain veneers. Our network features Sydney dentists, Melbourne dentists and dental practices in many locations around Australia.
