Root Canal Treatment
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a common dental procedure. This treatment can save your natural tooth preventing the need for extraction.
At the centre of your tooth is the pulp which is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Inflammation or infection of the pulp can be caused by deep caries, trauma, cracks, excessive wear or repeated dental procedures.
Indications for root canal treatment include, tooth pain, strong prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, or swelling of tissues around a tooth. Occasionally painless infection is found on xrays.
How is a root canal performed?
During root canal treatment the dentist carefully removes the injured pulp inside the tooth, cleans, disinfects and shapes the root canals, and places a filling to seal the space. Treatment usually takes two or more appointments. Once completed the tooth will need to be restored. Ideally back teeth should be restored with a crown or an onlay to prevent further breakdown. If the root canals are narrow or curved a referral to an Endodontist specialist may be required.
