Endodontic treatment also known as Root Canal Treatment is a procedure undertaken to save a tooth that otherwise may need removal due to decay, trauma or injury. During root canal treatment the infected pulp of a tooth is cleaned out, the space disinfected and then filled and sealed. A diseased or infected tooth nerve can be very painful for some people or if it is in its early stages it may not be causing pain just yet. The reason we do root canal treatments is if the patient chooses to try to save a tooth that has a diseased or infected nerve. Root canals are an alternative to tooth extraction. Success rates for the survival of a tooth these days from root canal treatment are now over 90% (depending on your case). In Some cases your general dentist may be able to complete your root canal treatment for you but depending on the severity of the infection and anatomy of the tooth you may be referred to a specialist dentist called an endodontist.
What can I expect during my root canal treatment?
The first half of the treatment focuses primarily on addressing the infection. Your dentist or endodontist will numb the tooth with anaesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable, remove the infected tissue. Once cleaned out your tooth is then dressed with an antibiotic and sealed over to allow to work for a couple of weeks before visiting again.
The second stage of a root canal treatment is all about strengthening the tooth, Once there is signs that the infection have resolved, the pulp chamber can be filled up with a special filling material to prevent re-infection. The major reason people loose teeth once they have had root canal treatments are that the teeth become brittle after losing its nerve supply. It is generally recommended that a crown be placed over a root treated tooth, to ensure that they are structurally reinforced.