Endodontics
Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)
When tooth decay and cavities are left to spread, they can cause damage inside of your tooth, which can lead to sensitivity and extreme pain. Fortunately, at Good Samaritan & Dental we have professional dentists with the expertise and experience to provide you with root canal therapy (RCT) to remedy the situation.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Your teeth contain two parts – the crown and the root. The crown is the surface of your teeth that you use for chewing. On the other hand, the root is the portion beneath your gum line that holds the dental pulp consisting of nerves, tissue, and blood supply.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
Since it takes longer, a root canal procedure tends to be more uncomfortable than a regular filling. However, it is often no more painful. saving a tooth from extraction.Root canal therapy begins with an examination of the infected tooth. One of our qualified dentists will take an x-ray of the tooth to determine whether the root has an infection. If they find the root to be infected, they will proceed with the RCT.
A rubber dam will be placed over the tooth to prevent contamination during the procedure. The dentist will use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and then will begin the removal of the tooth’s infected root and pulp. RCT procedures save a tooth from extraction.
After removing the pulp, the dentist will then clean, shape, and disinfect all of the tooth’s canals. You might need to come in for several appointments to allow the dentist to clean and shape the hole inside your tooth effectively.
Once this step is complete, the dentist will fill the inside of the treated tooth with a material known as gutta-percha. They might also insert a support into the canals to strengthen the tooth further or cap the tooth with a crown if necessary.
How to Know If You Need Root Canal Therapy
While some patients might not exhibit any symptoms, often, there are several signs you could look for to determine if you need root canal therapy. These signs will point to the presence of problems lying in your tooth’s deeper ends. They include:
- A darkened or discoloured tooth
- Gum swelling or tenderness
- Swelling of the neck or face
- Recurring pimples on your gums or an abscess or puss
- Sensitivity to cold or hot beverages
- Severe toothache when chewing, biting, or applying any pressure on the tooth
If you are looking for professional root canal therapy, call us today 9522 3313 to book your appointment.
When you've got a healthy smile, you're all set!