Root Canal Treatment Brisbane

Root Canal Treatments can restore infected or damaged teeth

What is root canal treatment?

As a last resort to save a tooth, a root canal treatment is carried out which involves extracting the root nerves from the tooth.

This allows for the cavity in the tooth to be cleaned and filled to prevent any more bacteria getting into the tooth and into the nerve system.

Once the tooth has been cleaned and filled it will be permanently sealed. Having a root canal is an option for an infected tooth that doesn’t involve extracting it. A root canal prevents the spread of any infected disease to other teeth and restores the tooth to hopefully give it a longer lifespan.

Why would I need a root canal?

If the tooth is still secure and does not need extracting, then a root canal could be recommended. There are several reasons which could lead to you needing a root canal.

• Damage and infections caused by untreated decay that has reached the roots of the tooth
• Gum disease
• Teeth grinding
• Build-up of decay underneath a filling

Is getting a root canal painful?

There is a myth that root canal treatment is painful, which puts people off going to the dentist! But the pain felt is normally caused by the infection or the damage to the tooth, rather than the procedure itself. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the surrounding areas to try minimise any pain during the treatment. 

The main aim of root canal treatment is to eliminate further pain that can be caused by the infected tooth. 

What are the risks of root canal treatment?

• It could lead to tooth loss if the damage is too deep or the enamel is too weak to withstand the procedure.
• If the treatment involves a large root canal the tooth could crack under the stress.
• Reinfection, opening and sealing the tooth can lead to a possibility of it getting reinfected

Do root canals hurt?

The root canal treatment is performed when the root of the tooth is exposed. Many people suggest root canals hurt, however with modern advancements, a root canal is no more painful than having a filling.

What happens if a root canal gets reinfected?

Root canal treatments have a high success rates, however a possible risk with carrying out this procedure is reinfection. Inadequate cleaning, failure to remove the whole root and the use of low quality fillers can lead bacteria getting in, leading to reinfection.

If the tooth does get reinfected, the procedure includes reopening the tooth which could involve removing any crowns, to remove the existing canal filling. Once the tooth has been recleaned, a new filling and seal can be added. Any crowns can then be re-added to protect the tooth.

Root Canal Treatments West End

At My Dental Care @ West End, we can provide you with more advice regarding root canal treatments. Contact us today and take that step towards improving your smile and overall oral health.