Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a procedure that aims to save a tooth that has been badly damaged due to severe decay or infection. Many people prefer root canal treatments to tooth extraction because it allows them to save their own tooth rather than having a missing tooth or an artificial one. At Showground Dental, we have extensive experience performing successful root canal treatments.
How Do I Know I Need This Treatment?
You might require root canal therapy if you have the following symptoms, as they can indicate a tooth abscess:
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swelling of the gum near the affected tooth
- Oozing of pus surrounding the affected tooth
- Facial swelling
- Discolouration of the tooth
What is Involved in a Root Canal?
To save the infected tooth, your dentist will remove the pulp tissue from the root canals. They will then clean and reseal the canals with a filling material to prevent further infection. A dental crown is often fitted on top of the tooth to protect it.
At Showground Dental, our team conducts root canal therapy with the utmost care and with as little pain as possible. Two to three visits are generally required to complete the treatment. You can even bring your own favourite DVDs to watch during the treatment!
What Could Cause Decay and Infection?
Proper oral hygiene and preventative dentistry are essential to avoiding infections, but sometimes the causes are not as clear. Some of the causes include:
- Deep-seated and untreated dental decay
- Decay beneath a deep filling
- Trauma that damages a tooth
- Grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
- Advanced gum disease
To diagnose the issue, your dentist will perform an examination and take x-rays of your teeth. The x-rays will also reveal the number, size, curvature and depth of your roots. This will help to determine the complexity of your root canal therapy.
If you think you have severe infection or decay in your tooth, don’t wait. Call Showground Dental in Brisbane today on 07 3852 2882 or contact us online.