Root Canal Therapy

In the past, a badly infected, painful tooth was doomed to be extracted. Today majority of these teeth can be salvaged by a special dental procedure called Root Canal Therapy.

When Is A Root Canal Needed?

A Root Canal treatment is needed when a tooth's nerve and associated blood vessels are irreversibly damaged either by trauma to the tooth or because of a deep cavity. This results in infection that may lead to an abscess at the base of the tooth.

Typical Signs And Symptoms

• Throbbing pain in the tooth.
• Swelling in the jaw.
• The tooth may be painful to chew on.
• Pain on consuming hot and/or cold foods.
• Teeth that are severely worn out.

The Root Canal Procedure

• Your treatment may take one or more visits, where the nerve of the offending tooth is removed and the root canal is subsequently filled.
• The procedure may be done under local anaesthesia.
• Your Dentist may take x-rays to ensure that the full length of your root canal is treated.
• If your roots are unusually shaped or there are other complications, you may need to have apical surgery (Apicoectomy) as advised by your Dentist.
• After the Root Canal, a core filling is done and the tooth may subsequently be protected with a cap.

While Your Root Canal Treatment Is Going On

• Take medication as prescribed.
• Do not eat anything hard on the offending tooth.
• Avoid any heat fermentation on the outside.
• Once the inside of your tooth is treated the outside is usually protected by a crown.

Now your tooth should function and feel like your other teeth.