If you’re experiencing tooth pain, it may be due to an infection or decay setting in. A root canal treatment may be required if this is the case. A root canal treatment is a procedure designed to save an infected tooth or dead pulp and stop infection from spreading. Patients who undergo this treatment can usually keep their natural tooth, helping to prevent jaw issues from developing.
How Does the Root Canal Get Infected?
The main reason for a root canal infection occurring is due to bacteria entering the tooth pulp and irritating the tooth’s nerves, which starts the infection. There are various ways that bacteria can get inside a tooth, including:
- Damaged or cracked teeth
- Tooth decay
- Teeth abnormalities
- Displaced teeth
- Necrosis (death of cells in living tissue)
How Will I Know I Need a Root Canal Treatment?
If you need a root canal treatment, you will likely experience the symptoms that typically occur as a result of injured or damaged pulp tissue, including:
- Pain when biting down and chewing
- Teeth feel sensitive when consuming hot or cold food or beverages
- Facial swelling
- The infected tooth might change colour
- Gums near the infected tooth might become blistered
What Will Happen During the Procedure?
A root canal treatment can be done over one or several appointments depending on the severity of your tooth infection. The treatment starts with the patient being given a local anaesthetic to numb the infected area. A rubber sheet, called a dam, will be placed around the tooth to keep the area dry during treatment and to keep bacteria away. The dam will also stop the patient from swallowing or breathing in any chemicals the dentist may use.
A hole is then made in the tooth so the dentist can access the damaged soft tissue at the centre of the tooth, which is called pulp. When the pulp is accessible, the dentist will remove any infected pulp they find and thoroughly clean the root canal.
The canal is then filled and sealed, and the hole made to access the root canal will be covered with a filling. A tooth that undergoes root canal treatment will receive a dental filling if it’s at the front of the mouth, or a crown if the tooth is at the back of the mouth.
Book an Appointment at Our Clinic Today
If you’ve been experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, make an appointment with Bundoora Family Dental Clinic before the infection worsens. Call our clinic today on (03) 9467 7433 to talk to our friendly receptionist, or schedule in an appointment with our easy-to-use online contact form.