Root Canal Treatments
A root canal treatment treats infection of a tooth and is often used to save a tooth that may otherwise need to be removed because of the infection. At Brisbane Dental, we have years of experience in providing root canal treatments. Here’s everything you need to know about the treatment.
Why Would I Need a Root Canal Treatment?
There are a number of reasons why you may need a root canal treatment. However, in the majority of cases, root canal treatment is necessary because the central canal or canals have become infected. This is usually caused by tooth decay, a filling that has started to leak, or damage caused by trauma, like a fall.
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To determine whether root canal treatment is an appropriate treatment option, your dentist will x-ray the affected tooth. This is the only way to see whether the pulp at the centre of the tooth has been damaged by a bacterial infection.
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If x-rays show that the pulp in your tooth has become infected, then root canal treatment is necessary. This is because, once bacteria reaches the pulp, it spreads quickly and begins to kill the pulp. At this point, it will spread around the mouth. For this reason, the earlier that the problem can be diagnosed, the better.
How Will I Know if I Have Infected Pulp?
You’ll need your dentist to diagnose whether you require root canal treatment. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should book an appointment for a check-up:
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Pain when eating hot or cold food
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Pain when drinking hot or cold drinks
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A tooth becoming loose
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If you notice these symptoms and they suddenly disappear, this may be because the infection has spread and the pulp has started to die throughout the root canal system. Eventually, the pain will return and you may also experience the following symptoms:
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Swelling of the gum
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Puss oozing from the infected area
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Swelling around the face and jaw
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The tooth changing colour and becoming darker
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At this point, you need to make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible. This is because the pulp cannot heal by itself and leaving an infected tooth in the mouth may make things worse
How is the Infection treated?
In order to get you happy and smiling again, any bacteria in your teeth will need to be removed. Your dentist will usually do this by performing the root canal treatment to remove bacteria from the root canal system.
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Every possible effort is made to ensure that extraction of your teeth isn’t required. However, depending on the extent of the infection and the damage to the tooth, your dentist may decide that one of your teeth needs to be removed. After as much of the bacteria as possible have been removed, the root canal is filled and the tooth is sealed with a filling or a crown. As your tooth heals, you’ll also find that the surrounding tissue heals on its own.
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Once you have received the treatment and have healed, all the symptoms you were previously suffering from should disappear. At this point, your dentist will provide you with some practical advice on how to look after your teeth so that you don’t require any further root canal treatments. This usually includes adopting a different teeth cleaning routine, a slight change of diet to cut down on sugary foods and drinks, and giving up smoking.
Book an Appointment Today
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, or would like a check-up to assess the standard of your oral health, then please book an appointment today.
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Our experienced staff members have carried out a great number of successful root canal treatments, so you can be sure that you’re in safe hands with us. If you have any questions about the procedure, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
