What is a root canal?
While commonly thought of as a procedure, the root canal is actually the interior chamber of your tooth that contains the pulp. Root canal treatment is a procedure used to save a tooth that is badly damaged, decayed or infected. The nerve and pulp are removed from the centre of the tooth, and the root canal is disinfected, filled and sealed.
Signs that root canal treatment may be needed:
Walk-through of the procedure
(it’s not as scary as it sounds!)
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An X-ray is taken to assess the shape of the tooth’s root canal.
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Local anaesthesia is given.
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An opening in the tooth is made to reach the root canal.
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The pulp is removed.
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The root canal is disinfected, filled and sealed.
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A temporary filling is placed to seal the tooth opening.
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You’ll need to visit your regular dentist to plan the final tooth restoration. This is to make sure your tooth can function as normally as possible.
Note:
This is a rough idea of what you can expect at our clinic. Every patient and situation is different, so your treatment may not unfold exactly as described.
Is it as painful as everyone says?
Honestly, no. People fear the name and the idea more than anything.
Most people say it's no more uncomfortable than having a filling put in. The pain that you could experience by not treating your tooth would be much worse than getting root canal treatment.
What will my tooth feel like after the treatment?
You might have sensitivity because of tissue inflammation, which is more common if you had pain or infection before the procedure. This can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. You should be able to get back to your regular activities the following day.
It’s best to keep chewing to a minimum on the tooth that is being fixed until you have your permanent filling or crown in place. This lowers the risk of infection in the tooth. It also helps prevent the vulnerable tooth being broken or damaged before it can be restored.