Root canal therapy to relieve your pain and save that tooth

Have you been feeling pain while chewing hot and cold food? Is it a dull ache while you’re trying to fall asleep? Have you felt that pain travel up and down your jaw? These instances of pain might be an indication of an infection inside your tooth – you definitely don’t want to sit on this. Act quickly and give us a call on 9569 8091 to get it checked out. 

More than likely, an infection has settled in on the innermost chamber of your tooth, which is the pulp (or nerve) that allows you to sense the hot and cold temperatures of what you eat and drink. The pulp extends from the middle of the tooth all the way down the canals to each root. Once an infection takes hold, the entire canal area will need to be disinfected via root canal treatment.

How does my tooth get infected?

Infection occurs when bacteria gets into the nerves, whether that be through:

• Decay from poor oral hygiene
• Gum disease
• Untreated cracked teeth from injury or constant grinding
• Repeated dental treatment to the same tooth

What’s involved in root canal treatment?

Once the dentist has confirmed the underlying cause of your pain through assessment and x-rays, they may recommend a root canal to prevent the infection from spreading to your jaw and stop the pain. 

The dentist will outline whether a single visit or multiple visits are required, depending on the severity of the infection. Root canal treatment will involve the following:

1. Local anesthetic is applied to the tooth to be treated
2. A hole is created at the top of the tooth in order for the dentist to access the root canals
3. The infected pulp is cleaned out, the root canals are flushed and antibacterial medication is applied
4. This process of cleansing and flushing may occur over multiple visits to allow the medication to work through the canals
5. The canals are smoothed down to ensure no irregularities in the structure exist for bacteria to hide out in
6. Once the dentist is confident the root canals are cleansed of infection, they will fill the area with a sealant and a rubber-like material to create a water-tight seal in the chamber – this will prevent any bacteria from coming back
7. A temporary filling is placed in the hole if you’re coming back for multiple visits; however, once root canal treatment is completed, restorative work like a crown is recommended to strengthen and reinforce the structure of your tooth

What’s the aftercare of a root canal?

Hopefully the pain will have subsided following a root canal treatment – the dentist and our team will be in contact with you to check if there is any lingering pain. Otherwise, general aftercare instructions will apply – brush twice daily, floss and avoid hard/chewy food until a crown is placed.

Give the Limitless Dental team a call on 9569 8091 if you feel any pain in your tooth – it’s better to get it checked out sooner rather than later!