Root Canal Treatment
before and after procedure
What indicates the need for Root Canal Treatment?
The most common cause for the need of a Root Canal is when decay progresses to the pulp of the tooth. Since the cavity is filled with bacteria, the root canal gets inflamed and causes pain. Other factors which may cause the need for a root canal treatment are hairline cracks in the tooth caused by clenching and grinding your teeth or eating hard food. Inflammation of the nerve can also be caused by trauma, but may not be evident until a later stage.
If the tooth is left untreated, the infection can sometimes cause an abscess to appear by progressing through the apical foramen and can result in the loss of supporting bone.
Root canal treatment is the only means of saving a tooth in which the pulp chamber has been infected. The only alternative would be to extract the tooth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful which has a 90-95% success rate.
How will I know if I need a Root Canal Treatment?
The main symptoms of needing root canal treatment are prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and pain upon the application of pressure. It is also common to have inflamed and tender gums surrounding the affected tooth, and sometimes with a persistent pimple. Additionally, the tooth itself may appear to be darkening in colour over time.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, we suggest you come in for a consultation with the Endodontist
During the consultation, the Endodontist will perform a series of different tests for checking the vitality of the tooth, including using warmed gutta percha, Ethyl Chloride or by using an electric pulp test. A small radiograph of the tooth to check for infection or an abscess will be taken. These different prognosis methods will ensure a proper diagnosis to whether the pulp is infected or dead and whether root canal treatment is necessary. After diagnosis, all the possible options will be discussed with you.
Is the treatment painful?
Root treatment is a relatively painless and comfortable procedure as local anaesthetic is used at each stage. After the treatment, you may experience some discomfort or sensitivity which may persist for a few days, but this can usually be controlled with the use of general pain killers which can be bought from the pharmacy. You should return to your dentist if you are in severe pain or experience prolonged swelling.
What is involved in root treatment?
At our dental practice root canal treatment is typically carried out over two visits approximately two weeks apart, following the initial consultation with the Endodontist. The consultation will last around 1 hour and each visit thereafter will be around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Stage 1:
The area to be treated is kept dry and free of saliva during treatment with the use of a rubber sheet which isolates the tooth being treated. This allows you to be more comfortable during treatment as you are still able to breathe and swallow as normal. An opening will then be made in the tooth, allowing access to the pulp. The canals can then be located, cleaned out and shaped using small specialised hand and rotary files, and debris can be flushed away using disinfectant solutions. Ultrasonic equipment may also be used to aid this process. Medication is then inserted into the canals and sealed up temporarily until the next visit. This will help clear up any infection present.
Stage 2:
The rubber sheet is again applied and the temporary filling is removed. The canals are thoroughly cleaned out again and are filled with a rubbery material called gutta percha. After this stage, the rest of the tooth can then be filled temporarily until you see your dentist for a permanent restoration.
Generally, three small radiographs are taken at the start, during and at the end of treatment. This is to diagnose treatment, to determine the lengths of the canals and to monitor the treatment. However, with the use of our digital radiography equipment, the amount of radiation exposure to you is minimal.
What happens next?
A root treated tooth often has a large filling or extensive decay, which is why it is often recommended that you have a crown placed over the tooth to prevent it from breakage and to restore it to full function. You should avoid direct pressure onto the tooth until it has been permanently restored to avoid its fracture as it will be weaker than usual. It is important to remember that root treated teeth are as prone to tooth decay as other teeth which is why it is important that oral hygiene is practiced and maintained at home as well as with regular visits to the hygienest.
How long will my root canal treatment last?
The majority of successful endodontically treated and permanently restored teeth last as long as natural teeth. However, it is important to have the tooth monitored by your dentist.
With the use of the optimum magnification and illumination feature of the operating microscope, the structure of the tooth can be viewed in detail. This increases the chance of successful treatment. Unfortunately, unlike our specialist, many general dentists do not have access this equipment.
What is a re-root treatment?
In the event of a failed root canal treatment, a re-root treatment may be carried out. This involves the removal of the existing root filling material, a thorough cleaning of the canals and replacing the filling material in the canals. The success rate of a re-root treatment is approximately 60-70%.
