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Root canal therapy can save your natural teeth that would otherwise be extracted. It is a simpler, less invasive, and much less costly procedure than a dental implant or a dental bridge.
Root Canal Treatment (also known as Endodontic Treatment) is needed when the tissues inside the tooth become unhealthy and infected. Often, you may need a root canal because there is a large cavity with bacteria contaminating the inside of the tooth, but other reasons include a crack in the tooth or an injury/trauma jolting the tooth enough to disrupt its blood supply.
Endodontic treatment is a comfortable procedure designed to relieve pain and save your tooth, as there is no real substitute for your own tooth (it is far more efficient at chewing and biting than an artificial tooth). Far from causing pain, root canal procedures relieve pain and prevent future discomforts as well.
If you are suffering from severe tooth pain or have a badly damaged or infected tooth, do not wait to receive treatment. Our experienced and knowledgeable dental team in Southport on the Gold Coast are able to provide our patients with a comfortable and professional experience.
Schedule your appointment today to get started on saving your tooth and preserving your smile. Call (07) 5588 3677 or click here to BOOK ONLINE and someone from our Gold Coast practice will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
Schedule your appointment today to get started on saving your tooth and preserving your smile.
or call us on (07) 5588-3677
The root canal is the central part of the tooth that holds the dental pulp. The procedure to remove infected pulp is known as Root Canal Therapy and it is a safe, effective, and quick way to preserve the quality and appearance of your smile.
There are several layers to your teeth, with the dental pulp in a central canal that usually extends through each tooth root. The pulp consists of blood vessels, connective tissue, nerves, and other cells. It is the living part of your tooth, and it is responsible for tooth growth in your younger years as well as much of the sensation we feel in our teeth.
The inflammation of the pulp is called pulpitis, and it is usually caused by infection.
Common reasons for pulp infection include:
If a pulp infection is left untreated, it can spread through the rest of the tooth and beyond, causing tooth loss or other medical emergencies.
However, if the pulp is removed and the cavity cleaned and sealed, the tooth can often be saved, giving it extra years of use and preventing other health complications. Ultimately, this will lead to a pain-free tooth.
If the blood supply in the root canal space gets too inflamed, your body cannot replenish and heal that tissue, and that bacteria starts to brew an infection. Typically, the inflammation stage is where people have toothache. Symptoms that indicate a root canal may be necessary include:
Most of the time, these are the signs of a dental pulp disease, but that is not always the case and thorough examination is critical to make a correct diagnosis.
Do not wait for the pain to go away on its own. If you do feel a sudden decrease in pain, it might only mean the infection killed the tooth’s nerves. In these cases, you may lose your tooth.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you likely have an abscessed tooth and we recommend you call ArtSmiles Gold Coast right away. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the jaw and throughout the face, resulting in systemic infection.
Join ArtSmiles Club and receive quality dental care at a price you can easily afford. Get access to routine preventive care and emergency exams at no extra cost and additional services at a reduced cost (Up to 30% off).
When you come to ArtSmiles, our friendly staff will answer any questions or concerns you might have. You’ll start by filling out a medical history and answering some questions about your dental history and symptoms on the offending tooth. This helps give us a full picture of what is going on. To provide the best treatment, we need to know:
We will then take digital x-rays and take a look at the tooth, your gums, and your bite. We also perform several simple tests to measure the level of inflammation and infection in the problem tooth as well as the teeth nearby. Once we reach a diagnosis for your tooth, we will provide you with an accurate treatment plan and options. If endodontic treatment is needed, we are usually able to get started the same day for you.
We start by placing topical anesthesia on the gums around the root of your tooth. We then use local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. From this point on, you should not feel any pain, just pressure and cold water while we are working.
After the tooth is numb, we will place a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.
We next make a small opening in the crown of the tooth. Extreme care must be taken to ensure a minimal amount of tooth structure is removed to establish access to the pulp. At ArtSmiles, we utilize the latest technology to make sure we can identify the pulp space and the root canals with precision.
Very small specialized instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling. A disinfecting fluid is irrigated into the root canals to kill bacteria and rinse out debris.
The canals are then filled with a special biocompatible material and sealed, and the rest of the tooth is restored with a composite filling and a crown to protect it from further damage.
The dental fillings and crowns offered at ArtSmiles are shaped, coloured, and sized to fit perfectly into your smile, working to protect the weakened tooth without compromising aesthetics.
The canals are then filled with a special biocompatible material and sealed, and the rest of the tooth is restored with a composite filling and a crown to protect it from further damage.
The dental fillings and crowns offered at ArtSmiles are shaped, coloured, and sized to fit perfectly into your smile, working to protect the weakened tooth without compromising aesthetics.
Teeth with previous endodontic treatment can last as long as natural, untreated teeth. However, a tooth that has received treatment may not heal or may continue to have painful symptoms. Sometimes, pain or other signs of failure may occur months or even years after treatment. If so, Endodontic Retreatment may be necessary.
A tooth may not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons:
In other cases, a new problem can jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated. For example:
During retreatment, we will re-open your tooth and remove the existing filling materials that were placed in the root canals during the first procedure. We will carefully examine the tooth looking for additional canals or signs of a new infection. We then remove the sources of infection, clean and shape the canals, and place a new filling material in the root. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling. Once the root canal retreatment is completed, a crown or other restoration is placed on the tooth to protect it.
Having your natural teeth is the very best option, if possible. Your natural teeth allow you to eat a wide variety of foods necessary to maintain proper nutrition. If the tooth has enough sound structure to be restored, the root canal procedure is the treatment of choice, as no artificial tooth will feel like your own tooth.
The only alternative to a root canal procedure is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These alternatives not only are more expensive than a root canal procedure, but require more treatment time and additional procedures to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues.
However, not all cases of pulp infection can be effectively treated with a root canal. For example, if a crack on the tooth has propagated beyond the pulp chamber floor, the tooth is deemed unrestorable and will need to be extracted.
The cost of a Root Canal can vary depending on the scale of treatment required and which tooth is affected. Molars are more difficult to treat; the fee is usually more. As each and every patient has unique needs, a final quote can only be obtained after a full consultation and assessment of your needs. Book a free consultation with us to find out more!
or call us on (07) 5588 3677
Join ArtSmiles Club and receive quality dental care at a price you can easily afford. Get access to routine preventive care and emergency exams at no extra cost and additional services at a reduced cost (Up to 30% off).
A tooth’s nerve is not vitally important to a tooth’s health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory – to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.
When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can not only injure your jawbones, but it is detrimental to your overall health. Without the proper treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.
Getting a root canal is painless and extremely effective. You’ll be back to smiling, biting and chewing with ease in no time.
After the root canal procedure, it is vital to take care of your tooth. It’s also essential to take a follow-up X-ray after the process as well. The X-ray ensures that there are no additional signs of an infection. You have to get regular dental exams and cleanings as well. Your dentist and team will let you know when you need a dental cleaning or routine dental exams.
Also, maintain a good routine at home. Brush your teeth twice a day. Flossing as well is essential. Make sure your toothpaste has fluoride and can fight germs as well. If your root canal treatment is perfect, your tooth is now safe.
There are chances that your teeth might feel sensitive after the treatment. Our dentist can give you post-treatment instructions and prescribe medicines. Most patients report that any minor side effects like this go away on their own after a few days.
Do not chew hard after the procedure right away and wait for some time. It will be wise not to do any heavy exercise for some time after the procedure. Especially if there is a temporary filling and permanent filling is due.
Dr. Tiago Braga is a trusted Gold Coast Dentist and a Lecturer in General Dental Practice and Endodontics Clinical Supervisor at Griffith University.
Since February 2018 he has been the Coordinator of the Master of Clinical Dentistry in Endodontics at Griffith University.
Over the last decade, Dr Tiago Braga has been dedicated to teaching and developing research in the areas of Endodontics and Endodontic Microsurgery.
Dr. Braga is also a member of the American Association of Endodontics.
Schedule your appointment today to get started on saving your tooth and preserving your smile.
or call us on (07) 5588-3677
Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5pm
Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5pm
(07) 5588-3677
contact@artsmiles.com.au
© ARTSMILES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cancellation Policy | Deposit Policy
© ARTSMILES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Privacy Policy | Cancellation Policy | Deposit Policy