A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form and the tooth will be lost and surrounding jaw damage or systemic complications can occur..
- How does endodontic treatment save my tooth?
- What are typical symptoms if root canal infection?
- What can I expect following the procedure?
The procedure began by administering local anaesthetic to numb the tooth so that the treatment to no more uncomfortable than a filling.
A pulp access is made via an opening on the chewing surface of your tooth. Very small instruments are use to remove the infected pulp and the canals are cleaned and disinfected. The canals are shaped and prepared so that they can be sealed with biocompatible root filling materials. These materials are also coated with adhesive cement to ensure that they are completely sealed to prevent future infection.
Our dentists use high magnification and loupes to aid vision for these intricate and detailed procedures to ensure precision and effectiveness.
Depending on the cause, signs and symptoms can be varied:
* Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear
* Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
* Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
* Fever
* Swelling in your face or cheek
* Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
* Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief if the abscess ruptures
For following 1-3 days after treatment, your tooth may feel tender and sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This can be controlled by taking pain-relief medication available over-the-counter eg. ibuprofen or paracetamol (if you are able to take these). If you have discomfort to pain that lasts more than a few days or if there are other increasing symptoms, call your dentist. You should try and avoid eating on the tooth while the area is healing. A crown or other restoration is usually needed to further protect the tooth.
How does endodontic treatment save my tooth?
The procedure began by administering local anaesthetic to numb the tooth so that the treatment to no more uncomfortable than a filling.
A pulp access is made via an opening on the chewing surface of your tooth. Very small instruments are use to remove the infected pulp and the canals are cleaned and disinfected. The canals are shaped and prepared so that they can be sealed with biocompatible root filling materials. These materials are also coated with adhesive cement to ensure that they are completely sealed to prevent future infection.
Our dentists use high magnification and loupes to aid vision for these intricate and detailed procedures to ensure precision and effectiveness.
What are typical symptoms if root canal infection?
Depending on the cause, signs and symptoms can be varied:
* Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear
* Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
* Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
* Fever
* Swelling in your face or cheek
* Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck
* Sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting, salty fluid in your mouth and pain relief if the abscess ruptures
What can I expect following the procedure?
For following 1-3 days after treatment, your tooth may feel tender and sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This can be controlled by taking pain-relief medication available over-the-counter eg. ibuprofen or paracetamol (if you are able to take these). If you have discomfort to pain that lasts more than a few days or if there are other increasing symptoms, call your dentist. You should try and avoid eating on the tooth while the area is healing. A crown or other restoration is usually needed to further protect the tooth.