The Dental Root Canal Procedure An endodontic treatment is usually carried out by your Sydney dentist. However, if the root canal is particularly complex, a root canal specialist or root canal dentist might have to do the procedure. It’s usually performed when your teeth are infected or badly decayed. A root canal treatment usually requires 2-3 visits as well as several stages. Planning The initial stage of endodontic therapy revolves around planning, where a dental specialist captures X-rays of the decayed or infected tooth. This imaging helps them assess the severity of the damage, identify the best ways to mitigate it and estimate the duration of the treatment. However, due to the intricate nature of tooth roots, X-rays might not reveal the full picture. The true extent of the damage may only become apparent once root dental specialists examine the root canals directly during the treatment. Preparing for the Procedure Once the dentist has assessed the x-rays, the tooth is numbed using a local anaesthetic. The dentist then puts a dental dam around the damaged tooth to keep everything sterile. The dam also allows you to swallow normally during the procedure and ensures that tools and debris don’t fall into your throat. Working on the Tooth Once the area is completely numb, the dentist drills a hole in the top of the tooth, or at the rear of a front tooth. They then use dental files to clear away the diseased pulp and nerve tissue in and around the tooth and its root system. The files are also used to widen the root canals so they can be filled more easily. If you have an abscess in the area, it will be drained at the same time to completely remove any infected tissue from around the tooth. Cleaning the Tooth Your endodontist in Sydney will then clean inside your tooth using an antibacterial solution. This is repeated several times to ensure that the tooth is as sterile as possible. If your root canal treatment can’t be completed in one visit, your dentist will stop at this point after filling the tooth with antibacterial solution and applying a temporary filling. This will protect the tooth until your next visit. The Actual Root Canal Treatment At this stage in your endodontic treatment, your dentist will heat thermoplastic until it softens and is ready for the next stage. This is a plastic material that is extremely malleable when heated and will be used to fill the hole in your tooth that the root canal left behind. Your tooth needs to be filled down to the roots to avoid further infection, so your dentist must be very precise when they’re doing this part of the procedure. But once the tooth has been filled, a normal filling is put over the top to seal the tooth. Root Canal Treatment Crowns Your treated tooth will never be as strong as the original, so your dentist may suggest a crown to protect the tooth from further decay and damage. Root Canal Pain Relief Endodontic therapy is extremely effective these days and should be almost completely pain-free because of the anaesthetic. You can expect some pain and gum swelling once the anaesthetic has worn off, and a dose of ibuprofen is an ideal root canal pain treatment. Root Canal Treatment Price Root treatment costs will vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether you have a crown attached to the tooth. Your dentist will be able to give you a better idea of how much the procedure will cost once they have all the information about your condition.
