Root canal treatment is indicated when the nerve inside your tooth’s root canal space becomes inflamed, infected or damaged. This treatment allows the infection to be treated, your natural tooth to be saved and most importantly to get you out of pain. At White Dental and Cosmetic Rooms our friendly and highly skilled team ensure your comfort from start to finish of the procedure.
Inflammation or infection of the nerve inside your tooth may be as a result of tooth decay, trauma to your tooth or existing failing dental work. You may be experiencing:
- Pain or tooth ache
- Sensitivity
- Pain when biting down
- Swelling or abscess
Root canal treatment can often be completed in a single appointment, however there may be cases where two or more appointments may be needed.
Firstly, we’ll use local anaesthetic to ensure the procedure is painless for you. After which a rubber dam sheet is used to isolate the tooth in question and prevent recontamination by bacteria into that tooth. The infected or inflamed nerve is gently removed, after which the root canal space left behind is disinfected and washed from the inside. Lastly the tooth is sealed from top to bottom with root canal filling material, which prevents re-infection.
After your root canal treatment, we may recommend placing a crown to protect the tooth and restore its strength and function.
Is a root canal painful?
Modern root canal procedures are relatively painless, thanks to local anesthesia. You may feel some discomfort during recovery, but this is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
The procedure usually takes about 60-90 minutes and can often be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the complexity of the case.
Most patients can return to work or normal activities the same day after a root canal. However, it’s advised to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until fully restored.
The main alternative is tooth extraction. However, saving the tooth with a root canal is usually preferred as it helps maintain your natural bite and prevents neighboring teeth from shifting.
In most cases, a crown is recommended after a root canal, especially for molars, to protect the weakened tooth and restore its strength and function.
Discoloration can occur in some cases. If it happens, cosmetic options like internal bleaching or a veneer can restore the tooth’s appearance.
