For Tooth Nerve Damage

Root Canal Therapy

At Adelaide Dental, we can help treat your infected tooth with Root Canal Therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, a dental procedure designed to save and restore a severely damaged or infected tooth.

Our Services

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure used to treat infection or damage in the pulp of a tooth, which is the innermost part containing nerves and blood vessels. The process involves removing the infected or damaged pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then sealing it to prevent further infection, ultimately saving the tooth and alleviating pain.

What Are The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?

  • Pain relief: Root canal treatment alleviates tooth pain caused by infection or inflammation, providing relief and improving overall oral health.

  • Preservation of natural teeth: By saving the natural tooth, root canal therapy helps maintain proper chewing ability and prevents neighboring teeth from shifting out of position.

What to Expect on Visit

Local anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Your dentist will then create a small access opening in the tooth, allowing them to reach the heart of the infected nerve, also known as the dental pulp.

Using specialized instruments, the dentist will carefully remove the infected pulp from the root canal, cleaning and shaping the canals in the process. The cleaned root canals is then disinfected to eliminate any remaining bacteria. It is then filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to seal the canal and prevent further infection.

Generally, a dental crown will be required and placed to restore the tooth's strength, function, and appearance.

Additional appointments may be necessary to ensure proper healing and monitor the success of the root canal treatment.

 FAQs

  • Root canals are necessary when the pulp inside the tooth becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or trauma. If untreated, the infection can lead to pain, abscesses, or tooth loss.

  • Generally no.

    Root canal treated teeth become brittle as they lose their nerve and blood supply and becomes much more likely to fracture over time. Filling material is not strong enough to hold the tooth together which is why root canal treatments are often paired with a crown.

  • Root canal therapy is performed under local anesthesia, ensuring minimal discomfort during the procedure. An active infection in the tooth may act against the local anesthesia, your dentist may suggest you to take a couple days worth of antibiotics before you start the procedure to help ease the pain.

  • The recovery period following root canal therapy is generally minimal. You may experience some mild discomfort or sensitivity, which should subside within a few days to a week.

  • In most cases, a crown is recommended after a root canal to restore the tooth’s strength and function, especially if the tooth is weakened or if it’s a back tooth used for chewing. The crown also protects the tooth from fracturing.

  • With proper care, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy can last a lifetime. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are important to maintain the health of the treated tooth.

  • If you don't get a root canal when needed, the infection in the tooth can spread to the surrounding tissues, leading to severe pain, abscesses, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss. In rare cases, untreated infections can lead to more serious health complications.

  • While root canal therapy has a high success rate, there is a small chance that it can fail due to incomplete removal of infection, a missed canal, or a new infection. In such cases, a second root canal (retreatment) or an apicoectomy (removal of the tip of the root) may be necessary.

  • The main alternative to a root canal is tooth extraction, followed by replacement options like a dental implant, bridge, or denture. However, preserving your natural tooth with a root canal is generally the preferred treatment, as it maintains the tooth’s function and appearance.

Join Our Dental Family

We invite you to join our dental family, where trust, compassion, and excellence intertwine.

Discover a dental experience like no other, where every appointment leaves you inspired and excited about your dental health journey. Call us today to schedule your visit and embark on a path towards a lifetime of dazzling smiles and heartfelt care. Together, we'll create a brighter future, one smile at a time.

Call us: (437) 292 - 3961