If you have an infected tooth, your dentist might suggest root canal therapy. This is a routine dental procedure that involves removing the infected tissue and sealing the tooth with a crown. This takes away the pain and restores the tooth to good working order.
Root canal treatment can avoid the need for an extraction and is performed under anaesthetic or other sedation so you won't feel any pain. Read on to learn more about what the root canal procedure involves at Swish Dental and how our experienced dentists can help you.
How serious is needing a root canal?
Dentists recommend root canal treatment if tooth decay or other damage allows bacteria into the soft centre of the tooth (the pulp), leading to an infection. This can cause pain, swelling and other symptoms without prompt treatment. If a tooth becomes too badly damaged or infected, it may need to be extracted. Root canal therapy avoids the need for extraction and can usually save a tooth.
When you visit the dental clinic, your dentist will examine your tooth and let you know whether you're suitable for root canal therapy or another treatment.
What happens during the root canal procedure?
Root canal therapy should only be provided by a dentist with training and experience in endodontics. The procedure involves four main stages:
1. Removing the infected tissue – drilling into the infected tooth and carefully removing all infected tissue, taking care to preserve the healthy tooth.
2. Preparing the root canals – cleaning and reshaping the spaces inside the tooth, ready to receive a filling.
3. Placing the filling – inserting a synthetic filling material to fill out the tooth and prevent future infections.
4. Sealing the tooth – placing a dental crown or large filling over the treated tooth to restore its original strength and appearance.
The root canal procedure may involve one or more visits to the dentist, depending on the size of the tooth being treated.
How painful are root canals?
One of the most common questions that people ask about root canal treatments is how painful they are. The truth is, it's no more painful than other dental treatments, as dentists use general anaesthesia to numb the area of the mouth being treated. You may also request other sedation options if needed.
An infected tooth can be painful to experience, but root canal therapy relieves this pain. After your procedure, your dentist may suggest taking over-the-counter painkillers for a few days and to avoid exertion while your mouth heals.
What is the root canal success rate?
Root canal therapy is a common procedure with a very high success rate when it's provided by a suitably qualified and experienced dentist. A 2022 review of studies over several decades found a high average success rate of 92.6%.*
Root canal therapy in Brisbane
If you have a painful tooth, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Get in touch with Swish Dental to book a consultation with our experienced dentists today. Call us on (07) 3355 1422 for our Everton Park clinic or (07) 3354 3341 for our Mitchelton office. You can also book online.
References
* Burns LE, Kim J, Wu Y, Alzwaideh R, McGowan R, Sigurdsson A. Outcomes of primary root canal therapy: An updated systematic review of longitudinal clinical studies published between 2003 and 2020. Int Endod J. 2022 Jul;55(7):714-731. doi: 10.1111/iej.13736. Epub 2022 May 4. PMID: 35334111; PMCID: PMC9322405. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9322405/