Root Canal Treatment
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Root canal treatment is used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The tooth’s inside/pulp contains the blood vessels, nerves and tissues. When it becomes infected, you can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated.
We may prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent further infection within the tooth.
The crown portion of the tooth that remains may be restored using a cap or crown that provides a natural appearance and normal tooth function.
You could experience the following signs of an infected tooth that requires a root canal:
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A severe pain
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Persistent sensitivity to heat or cold
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At the touch and upon chewing, suppleness
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Changing the colour of the tooth
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Swelling or sensitivity of the gum tissue around it
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Persistent gum inflammation
01
Is a root canal necessary for me?
The point of root canal therapy is to save your tooth from removal/extraction because it has become infected or is dying. If an infection spreads through your tooth, it can lead to broader health issues, especially if it spreads to nearby teeth, gums, and around your jawbone. Cleaning out the pulp chamber and the roots through a root canal will be necessary to save it.
02
What should I expect during my root canal treatment?
If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and potentially treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
03
How soon can I eat after having a root canal?
The treated tooth region may feel a little uncomfortable, but it will pass within a day or two and is entirely bearable. It sometimes happens that the tooth can remain a bit sensitive for a couple of weeks.
Because teeth requiring a root canal are usually fragile, it is recommended you do not eat on the tooth until it is reinforced with a crown.