Root Canal Treatment

If you are experiencing a severe, persistent toothache or swelling, you may have an infection of the soft tissue (dental pulp) inside your tooth.

What causes dental pulp infection?

A dental pulp infection can occur when bacteria enter the tooth through a gap in the chewing surface, perhaps because of significant decay or a traumatic injury.

What is involved in root canal treatment?

If you require a root canal treatment, your endodontist will take an x-ray to check the extent of the infection and examine the shape and size of your root canal.

They will then administer a local anaesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. Using a small file, your endodontist will remove the soft tissue from the pulp chamber before cleaning and disinfecting the tooth.

Once the tooth is clean, the endodontist will seal the root canal with a special filling material. They will then work to restore the tooth, both aesthetically and functionally, with either a filling or a dental crown.

What about aftercare?

You may experience mild discomfort once the anaesthetic wears off, but this can be managed with the over-the-counter pain relievers prescribed by your endodontist.

What happens if I don’t seek treatment?

Left untreated, a dental pulp infection can spread to the surrounding teeth, gums, and even your jawbone, causing long-lasting damage.