ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Restore your tooth with root canal treatment!

WHAT IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

This treatment is a popular choice for patients in Melbourne, designed to save a tooth affected by decay, trauma, or periodontal disease by removing the infection. The inner, soft centre of your tooth is called the “dental pulp”. This is made up of vital connective tissues and nerves that extend far deeper into the root of your tooth. If your dental pulp is compromised, this leads to a painful infection.

Teeth with a history of large fillings, significant decay or damage can become inflamed, or die, resulting in an infection developing inside the tooth. The root canal procedure involves removing the infected tissues through the top of the tooth and placing antibiotics directly inside the root canal system. Once the root canal treatment is completed, the tooth remains fully functional but becomes quite brittle and more prone to fractures, therefore a crown is often advised to act like a helmet and provide the best long-term outcome.

DO YOU NEED A ROOT CANAL?

If you have severe decay or any other dental issue that might require root canal treatment, here are some symptoms you can look out for:

Pain when biting down
Sensitivity to changes in temperature
Swollen / darkened gums
Pus around the tooth
Pimples forming along the gumlines

These symptoms can worsen if left untreated and may eventually deteriorate the underlying bone and lead to loss of teeth. If the infection spreads to neighboring teeth, this can also lead to swelling of the face or fever.

WHAT CAUSES AN INFECTED TOOTH?

The below instances put you at higher risk of needing root canal treatment:

Gum disease
Severe decay / an abscessed tooth
An old filling / crown
Dental trauma, including a cracked / chipped tooth
Bruxism

Save your smile. Book your appointment today!

9540 8900

THE ROOT CANAL TREATMENT PROCESS

What exactly happens during a root canal? This is a relatively simple process that spans just 1 to 3 appointments. Duration often depends on the severity of your infection, however.

Local anaesthetic will be administered to minimize any discomfort
The infected tooth is isolated
Decay is removed, including the infected pulp
The root canal is flushed out and dried
Antibiotic medication is placed in the canal, and the root is sealed with a temporary filling
Your tooth will undergo restoration, with a crown placed on top if necessary.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT AFTERCARE

Recovery time often varies from individual to individual but with the right aftercare, most patients tend to bounce back after a couple of days. Following the procedure, we may prescribe or recommend some pain relievers to take after every meal to reduce any discomfort, but this may cause drowsiness so avoid driving or operating machinery.

To avoid irritating your tooth or causing further pain, stick to soft foods that are easy to chew and keep away from anything spicy. Make sure to avoid using your treated tooth to bite into anything in the first few days following your procedure.

Remember, consistently practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to make sure your root canal is a success! Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, and refrain from touching your treated tooth with your finger or tongue as it’s highly sensitive during this time. We may recommend avoiding flossing for a short period if a temporary filling was applied in the space between your teeth.

Our dentists at Purity Dental will make sure to walk you through all the steps so you have a successful root canal treatment. Working with years of expertise and the latest technology in hand, just call us to schedule your appointment and we’ll make sure all your dental needs are seen to.