With our experienced dental team and state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to make your root canal treatment as comfortable and effective as possible. Kedron Family Dental is here to support you on your journey to optimal oral health.
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Root Canal
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that aims to save a tooth with damaged or infected inner pulp. Here the aim is to alleviate your pain and preserve the remaining tooth.
Root canal treatments are commonly performed to avoid the need for tooth removal. There is a misunderstanding that root canals are painful. However, similar to other dental treatment, pain and discomfort can be eliminated through gentle care by well-trained Dentists and use of modern equipment and treatment methods.
Root canals are typically done over 3 visits in order to remove the nerve inside the tooth, shape and clean the nerve canals and finally fill the nerve canals with an inert material. After root canal treatment we generally recommend that a crown is placed over the tooth to prevent any future infection and to avoid the tooth splitting and breaking. This is a simple overview of what can be an intricate process. However, our Dentists at Central Smiles will keep you comfortable and informed all the way and, if required, will consult specialists to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
What are the reasons for root canal treatment?
Here are some common reasons for undergoing root canal treatment:
Deep Decay
When tooth decay progresses beyond the first layers of the tooth and reaches the pulp, it can cause infection and inflammation.
Trauma or Injury
A physical injury or trauma to the tooth, such as a crack or fracture, can expose the pulp to bacteria.
Recurrent Dental Procedures
Teeth that have undergone multiple dental procedures, such as fillings or crowns, may eventually require root canal treatment if the pulp becomes damaged during these procedures.
Cracked or Fractured Tooth
A cracked or fractured tooth may expose the pulp, leading to pain and potential infection.
Prolonged Toothache
Persistent and severe toothaches can be a sign of pulp inflammation or infection. This is especially triggered by hot or cold substances.
Abscess or Swelling
The presence of a dental abscess or swelling around the affected tooth indicates an infection.
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Is root canal treatment painful?
The goal of a root canal procedure is to relieve pain rather than cause it, and with modern techniques and anaesthesia, patients should not feel significant pain during the procedure. Here’s a breakdown of what you can generally expect:
During the Root Canal Procedure
Local Anaesthesia: Before the root canal begins, your dentist will administer a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and the surrounding area. This helps minimize pain during the procedure.
Minimal Discomfort: While you may feel some pressure and movement during the process, you should not experience sharp pain. If you do feel discomfort, inform your dentist immediately so that they can adjust the anaesthesia.
After the Root Canal Procedure
Post-Operative Discomfort: It’s common to experience some mild discomfort or sensitivity in the treated tooth for a few days after the procedure. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and usually improves relatively quickly.
Prescribed Medications: In some cases, your dentist may prescribe pain medications or antibiotics to manage any potential postoperative pain or prevent infection.
Long-Term Pain Relief
Resolution of Pain: The main goal of a root canal is to eliminate any pain associated with an infected or damaged tooth. Once the procedure is done, and the tooth is sealed, the source of the pain is removed.
Follow-Up Care: Following the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist is important for a smooth recovery. This may include avoiding certain foods, maintaining good oral hygiene, and attending follow-up appointments.
What happens during root canals?
Here’s an overview of what happens during a root canal:
Diagnosis
The dentist will typically examine the tooth and take X-rays before proceeding with root canal treatment to determine the extent of the damage and whether a root canal is necessary.
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia is administered to numb the tooth and the surrounding area. This ensures that you are comfortable and don’t feel pain during the procedure.
Isolation and Access Opening
Our dentist places a rubber dam around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva during the procedure. This also helps prevent any potential contamination with the inside of the tooth.
Our dentist creates an opening in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. This is generally done using dental drills.
Pulp Removal
The infected or damaged pulp is carefully removed from the pulp chamber and the root canals. Ourdentist uses specialised instruments to clean and shape the inside of the tooth.
Cleaning and Disinfection
The inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove any remaining bacteria and debris.
Filling and Sealing the Access Opening
After cleaning, our dentist fills the empty space inside the tooth with a biocompatible material called “gutta-percha”. This material seals the canals to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
The access opening to the pulp created at the beginning of the procedure is sealed with a temporary or permanent filling.
Restoration
In some cases, a tooth that has undergone a root canal may require further restoration, such as a dental crown, to provide extra support and protection.
How much will the root canal procedure cost?
At Kedron Family Dental, our root canal treatment costs range from $1000 to $2000 before we’ve assessed our patient’s needs.
Our consultations are $99 to begin the process, during which our dentist will do a clinical exam, take X-rays, and develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific root canal treatment case.
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Where to find us
Kedron Family Dental
1/138 Gympie Rd,
Kedron QLD 4031, Australia
Public Transport
The clinic is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from Stop 25- Leckie Road on the busy 370 bus route. Free on-site parking available.