A root canal is the name of the dental procedure that cleans out the decay in your tooth’s pulp and root. The aim of root canal treatment is to save a tooth that has been irreversibly damaged due to tooth decay, disease or following tooth trauma.
Your teeth have an enamel layer on the outside, a second layer of dentin, and a soft inside core that extends into the root in your jawbone. The core contains the dental pulp, which consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
When decay gets into the soft core, the pulp can become inflamed or infected, or even necrotic (dead). A root canal is thus needed to clean out the decay.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp. The pulp is the tooth’s lifeline – its vessels, tissue fibres and nerves in the central hollow of the tooth keep it alive.
What Causes Root Canals?
Decay: Tooth decay that has penetrated the outer layers of the teeth causes root canal pain.
Damage: Cracks or chips in teeth can cause tooth decay and root canal pain.
Disease: Risk factors for infection in the tooth pulp include severe tooth decay, trauma to the tooth, recent dental procedures, large fillings, and cracks or chips in the teeth.
Could you need a root canal? Read below for symptoms that may indicate you need root canal treatment:
- Serious teeth pain when eating or when you put pressure on the area
- Teeth pain and sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the hot or cold stimuli have been removed
- A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the area of teeth pain
- Darkening of the tooth
- Tenderness or swelling in the gums near the area of teeth pain
- Oozing of pus surrounding the affected tooth
- Facial swelling
Root canal treatment:
A root canal is a multi-step dental procedure that involves removing the infected tooth pulp (and sometimes the nerve) from a tooth and sealing it to protect against future teeth pain.
Find out more Click Here
Anxious about having root canal treatment?
We are pleased to offer our patents the option of Twilight Sedation, also known as Sleep Dentistry and involves IV sedation and anaesthesia to induce sleep and reduce pain, awareness and recollection during dental procedures. This is administered and closely monitored by a professional and highly experienced seditionist. Click to learn more about sleep dentistry
Think you may need root canal?
Please contact our friendly team at Mingara Dental and we can assess and advise next steps to ensure you achieve optimal oral health and keep you comfortable and calm in the process.
Call us today on (02) 4392 0990, or email reception@mingaradental.com.au.