Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontics, is undertaken to save a tooth that has been damaged by disease, trauma or deep decay.

Symptoms can include - pain, sensitivity to heat & cold, biting pressure, tooth discolouration and swelling or soreness in the gums surrounding the tooth.

Without treatment the tooth can develop an abscess.  Left untreated the infection can damage the bone surrounding the root and this could result in the need for extraction. This is what root canal is designed to prevent.

After a thorough examination an assessment is carried out with the aid of digital imaging the tooth is anaesthetized and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth in to the pulp chamber.  Our aim is to remove the decay and clean away the infected nerve tissue. After the root canals have been cleaned and shaped a special root filling material is placed inside the canals to prevent further infection.

Root cancel therapy can be completed in as little as 2 or 3 appointments and a medication and temporary restoration is placed inside the tooth to protect it between visits.

At the completion of root canal therapy it is advised that a tooth coloured porcelain restoration, such as a crown, be placed on the tooth to help restore the tooths strength and function. Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy are usually very brittle due to the extent of the decay and a crown is the ideal restorative solution to stabilise the tooth and provide an acceptable cosmetic appearance.