Root canal treatment, also known as root canal therapy, saves more than your tooth
Root canal treatment still has a bit of bad stigma around it. How this treatment is performed nowadays is that it’s usually no more painful than getting a filling. Although, it’s important to remember everyone’s pain threshold and oral health is different.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is the treatment of decayed root canals in the tooth. It takes multiple appointments and often is finished by placing a dental crown to protect the treated tooth. When we say treat the decayed root canals this involves removing the decayed pulp and dead nerves and replacing them with a special dental putty to maintain the structural integrity of your teeth.
Once the infected tooth pulp and nerves have been removed, your tooth is essentially dead. So, you shouldn’t have toothache post-treatment.
How is root canal therapy done?
It takes between 3 and 4 appointments to complete root canal therapy. The first appointment is when your tooth is assessed and a treatment plan is created. The treatment plan will show how many treatments you will require, and what to expect during treatment.
Your second appointment is when your dentist will start treating the tooth. Depending on how severe the infection is, you may require two appointments to complete clean and fill your infected tooth.
Once the infected tooth pulp and nerves have been removed, and the dental putty has been placed we will place a dental crown if necessary. The reason a dental crown is placed is to protect now the clean and infection-free tooth.
How do I know if I need root canal treatment?
Toothache is a good indication you may need root canal treatment. Other indications include:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
- Tooth hurting spontaneously
- Tooth pain when you chew or put pressure on the tooth
The issue with these symptoms is that they can also be symptomatic of gum disease. Although, gum disease has the added symptom of bleeding gums during brushing and flossing.
If you are experience one or more of these symptoms we strongly recommend you visit your dentist for a check-up. If it is gum disease, we offer gum disease treatment. If it is a problem with your tooth, and not your gums we will explain all your options to you and provide you with a cost estimate.
Root canal treatment or tooth extraction?
The longer you can keep your natural teeth, the better it is for your oral health. Teeth are important for your speech and digestion as well as:
- Health of your jaws
- Health of your gums
- Your bite
By treating a tooth with root canal treatment you clean out the infected dental tissue to prevent any serious problems from spreading into your jaw.
Tooth extraction
A tooth extraction is quicker than root canal treatment. And some patients don’t even require anaesthetic. One minute the tooth is there, then it’s not. Tooth extraction’s cheaper than root canal therapy too. But you only have one set of adult teeth. Removing a tooth can create oral problems because your jaw requires the tooth root for stimulation.
Once a tooth is removed the jawbone around that tooth root starts to atrophy. Teeth on either side of the gap start to shift which can give you a crooked bite and this can cause headaches.
Root canal treatment from Dream Smiles Sunnybank for patients in Brisbane
Don’t suffer from toothache unnecessarily—visit Dream Smiles for a check-up and we can help alleviate your dental pain. For more information, or to request an appointment, contact us today.
