Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

Root canal treatment has a bad reputation, but it really shouldn’t.

If managed correctly a root canal treatment should be no different than having a filling.

A root canal is a more extensive treatment that can save and restore teeth affected by advanced decay, or trauma. We use modern techniques to make this procedure gentle and comfortable.

Signs & symptoms you might need a root canal:

• Spontaneous pain, even when you’re not eating or drinking.
• Pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night.
• Toothache that worsens when pressure is applied.
• Pain that gets worse with heat, and eases with cold water.
• Tenderness in the gum surrounding a tooth.
• Recurrent swelling of the gums.
• Darkening or discolouration of a tooth.

A root canal is usually completed over one or two appointments, depending on the tooth and the level of infection. Once the tooth has been anaesthetised a tiny opening is created in the top of your tooth. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned, shaped and disinfected. If your tooth was severely infected we may opt to place a medicated paste inside for one or two weeks before completing the root canal. A temporary filling will be used between appointments to keep the area clean. Once fully disinfected, the root canal system is filled and a definitive restoration is placed in the access cavity. An x-ray will then be taken to check the quality of the filling and to act as a baseline.

After treatment, you should not experience any dental pain or discomfort. However, a small number of patients may experience some mild pain/tenderness for up to two days.

Nobody wants a root canal, but when you need one you want it done RIGHT!