ROOT CANAL (ENDODONTIC) TREATMENT

We like to see your teeth in optimum health at all times, however in the case of infection we can treat the tooth to restore function.

Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is necessary when the tissues of a tooth (or pulp) becomes diseased or infected causing discomfort, pain and/ or abscess formation. In such cases the tissues and nerve of the tooth must be removed. Teeth can become infected if you have poor oral hygiene, or as a result of deep cavity caused by decay.

Endodontics is the field of dentistry dealing with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the dental pulp. Endodontic therapy (or a Root Canal) is a treatment designed to save diseased or injured teeth.

In this case, you will need to visit your dentist promptly to receive root canal treatment to have any chance of saving your natural tooth. This will prevent any further corrosion to your tooth and nerve. X-rays would be taken at your dental consultation and some tests may be done  to conclude if Root Canal Treatment is necessary. After which point, a series of appointments would be assigned to you for your treatment. Endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) is a sequence of treatments that aims to clean out the infected tooth pulp (to prevent the the infection from continuing downwards out of the root, to the bone) and to fill it with an inert material.

Signs you may require root canal treatment:

  • Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods or beverages

  • Constant throbbing tooth pain

  • Pain when biting and chewing

  • Abscess/ Pus surrounding the tooth or in the gums underneath

Treatment

The tooth is encased in a ‘rubber dam’ so the infection does not spread to surrounding teeth or gums.

With clinical precision, a small incision is made inside the chamber of the tooth, to extract the infected matter from the tooth pulp. The inside of the cavity is then thoroughly cleaned and the debris is removed. After the infected pulp has been removed, the area surrounding and containing the pulpal tissue is carefully cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to provide a clean, bondable surface for filling with permanent inert filler. This prevents any further infection and discomfort.

After filling, a crown is fabricated to complete the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth.

The procedure is generally spread over several visits to ensure the infected pulp and associated bacteria have been adequately drained.