Root Canal Treatment at Springvale Dental Clinic

Root canal treatment aims to remove the infected tissue in the tooth and keep the shell of the tooth, therefore preserving space, function and aesthetics.

When do you need a root canal?

You may need a root canal, if you experience all or one of the following symptoms:

• Pain to hot/cold drinks and it lingers on
• Pain at night
• Pain when biting down and the tooth feels higher then all the other teeth
• Pain when eating cold
• Constant or Spontaneous pain
• Radiating pain, which may radiate to the neck, other teeth, and shoulder? May also cause headaches
• Throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Pimple on the gum
• Injury or trauma to the tooth during sporting activity
• Sometimes, no symptoms are present.
• Large decay present on the tooth which involves the pulp (Nerve)

Why is root canal recommended by Springvale Dentist?

Extracting the tooth will be a cheaper way out, but if possible root canal should be the preferred treatment option. By removing the tooth, the following issues can arise:

• Drifting of adjacent tooth
• Upper or lower tooth moving upwards or downwards
• Bone loss in the extracted area
• Aesthetic

How long it will last when done by Springvale Dentist?

Root canal treatment cannot be guaranteed for lifetime. There is some chance that re-infection and decay can reoccur. In general, a root canal has a 95% success rate, if the treatment is done properly and it is adequately restored. At times a root canal may need a retreatment.

How is it done by Springvale Dentist?

Root canal treatment may involve one to three appointments depending on the reason for treating the tooth. Root canal is not a painful procedure, but a long complex appointment-usually for 30 to 60 minutes.

First appointment with the dentist in Springvale

Local anaesthetic is given. An x-ray is taken; a plastic rubber sheet is placed on the tooth which is held by a clamp (button). This is known as rubber dam. The rubber dam helps in isolation o f the tooth from the saliva which is full of bacteria and enables us to work in a clean environment.

Any fillings are removed and decay is removed and a filling is done. If necessary a band is placed around the tooth, which helps in holding the tooth together and avoids the tooth from further cracking. An access hole is made in the middle of the tooth and the canal openings are found. This would depend on the tooth. As a general rule, front teeth have one nerve and as you further go back, the number of nerve increases. I.e. molar teeth have 3 to 4 nerves. The tooth is washed with antibacterial solution, small thin files are inserted into the tooth and the nerve canals are cleaned out. An antibiotic containing a painkiller is placed into the tooth and a temporary filling is placed where the access is made.

It is not unusual for patient to experience pain after this appointment. A painkiller such as nurofen plus can be taken if pain persists. The dentist will discuss this with you.

Second appointment with the dentist in Springvale

On the tooth, once again rubber dam placed, local anesthetic given. Then the tooth is opened, washed out with antibacterial solution and the endodontic files are used to clean the tooth. The files are used in ascending sizes and the tooth is infection free. A dressing is placed which has no pain killer and a temporary filling is placed.

Third appointment with the dentist in Springvale

If the tooth has not been symptom free, then the root canal is not finished off and the tooth is redressed again. No local anaesthetic is given, rubber dam placed on the tooth and the nerve canal and the nerve canals are filled. A permanent restoration is placed on the tooth.

Root canal treatment removes all the nerve and blood supply of the tooth and the structure of the tooth are left behind. As the tooth ages, the tooth becomes brittle, therefore restoring the tooth with a crown is highly successful and will last a long time.

If any further difficulties or complications arise, the patient is referred to an endodontist (root canal specialist).

Complications of root canal treatment

• Endodontic files breaking in the canal
• Unable to locate the nerve canals
• Not being able to reach to the end of the tooth
• Crack in the tooth

In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment done should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restores it to its full function.