Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal Treatment

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What is a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth.

Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:

  • Efficient chewing
  • Normal biting force and sensation
  • Natural appearance
  • Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain
 

Understanding Root Canals

Also known as Endodontic treatment, root canals are highly complex and require delicate fine work with stainless steel and titanium files, but it is one that our team of extremely qualified dentists handles every day.

Patients typically need root canal treatment, when they notice their teeth are sensitive, particularly to hot and cold sensations. Chipped or cracked from an injury or genetics, swollen or tender gums, toothaches caused by large holes/cavities, or issues from a previous filling.

When a patient undergoes a root canal. The inflamed or infected pulp gets removed from the inside of the tooth. The tooth is then carefully cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed.

By not removing the pulp when it gets infected, it can become swollen. The swelling and infection can cause severe pain as the pulp is full of nerve fibres.

Then when the swelling, and pressure on the tooth gets too much for the pulp to handle, it can die, leaving space in the middle of the tooth for bacteria to grow. As a result, an abscess may flare up over time and potentially lead to facial swelling and other more serious conditions.

Does a Root Canal Hurt?

Whilst a root canal can be a sensitive procedure, it is nothing like those old sayings. It is one of the most peaceful and pain-free procedures undertaken here at Gentle Dental.

Treatment is completed over several appointments of approximately 60-90 minutes each, depending on the severity of the damage.

Before treatment starts, patients receive anaesthesia, so ensuring a root canal isn’t any more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling or having a wisdom tooth removed.

While a root canal is generally a little sore or numb after the procedure, the pain should subside after the first appointment.

But, you should attend the subsequent appointments, to seal the canals. Otherwise, they are likely to become infected again requiring the process to be repeated. Also, most back teeth will need a Crown to protect the now weakened tooth.

Root Canal Treatment Costs

The cost of root canal treatment varies depending on which tooth it is and how many roots it has. It is always best to consult with one of our dentists and have an x-ray taken beforehand to ensure that the tooth needs a root canal.

From there, our dentists can discuss all the options available for fixing your tooth and the costs.

At Gentle Dental we offer, ‘surprise-free fixed pricing’ quoted in advance, so you are always aware of the total costs. We are also able to claim on the spot from your health fund to save you time. Plus we offer interest-free payment plans to help spread the cost. For more information, please contact one of our friendly staff members.

Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. You will be back to smiling, biting and chewing with ease in no time.