Root Canals
Root Canal treatment is often a feared phrase for patients. However, root canals are a more common dental procedure than people think.
Reasons for Root Canals:
- Persistent sensitivity that will not go away
- Deep cavities
- Infection in the root
- Pain in the tooth
Will it Hurt?
- Most people think root canals will hurt a lot. The patient is given local anaesthetic (freezing) just like during a regular filling. More common than not there is no pain during and after the treatment.
What Happens during the appointment?
- Root canal treatment requires a longer appointment time.
- A dental dam is placed in order to protect your throat
- The tooth camber is cleaned out (this is the living part of the tooth) the empty canals are filled with a safe dental material
- A temporary filling is placed
- Patient is to return approximately 10 days later for a crown to be placed on tooth. This keeps the root canalled tooth strong and prevents the weakened tooth from breaking
Who performs my root canal?
- Depending on the complexity of the tooth the root canal can be completed by both a regular dentist or a specialist called an Endodontist.