Root canal – the very sound of this common dental procedure might send tremors down your spine. However, in the hands of a skilled dentists, root canal treatments are nowhere near as bad as they sound. Let’s find out exactly what’s involved with a root canal treatment, why you might need one – and why it’s really nothing to be worried about.

Why you might need a root canal

A root canal procedure becomes necessary when the soft core of a tooth (known as pulp) becomes damaged or inflamed. Incidents such as cracking or chipping a tooth can cause this type of damage, and bacteria can enter the pulp if the tooth develops a deep cavity. Once bacteria finds a way into your tooth, it infects the dental pulp and nerves inside. This damaging process leads to decay, which can in turn cause a tooth abscess or serious infection. You’ll know this is happening if you develop symptoms such as toothache or tooth pain, a hole in your tooth, a darkened tooth, gum swelling, swelling around your face and neck, a persistent bad taste in your mouth and sensitivity to heat and cold. None of this is pleasant (and becomes quite painful), but left untreated, it gets even worse. The pulp inside your tooth (containing the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues) will die, and you will likely experience bone loss as well as the loss of the infected tooth.

Obviously, this is not ideal; which is where the root canal treatment can be used to save your tooth and reduce the pain and trauma you’re experiencing.

What is a root canal?

A root canal treatment in its simplest terms involves cleaning out the root canal of your tooth – or the space within the tooth that houses the pulp and the nerve of the tooth. The infected and damaged pulp will be removed from inside your tooth, relieving the pain and stabilising the tooth. The canal will be cleaned, disinfected and filled with a rubber-like material, then sealed with a crown or filling to prevent it from becoming infected again.

This procedure effectively saves a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed, and alleviates the considerable pain and suffering caused by an infected or impacted tooth.

The root canal treatment process

The root canal procedure is relatively straightforward, and shouldn’t involve a lot of discomfort for the patient.

The steps are as follows:

• Dental X-rays are performed on an initial visit to the dentist, to check the extent of the damage to the tooth.
• Once the extent of the damage has been determined and a root canal recommended, you’ll return to the dentist for a second visit while the procedure is performed.
• A dental dam (a rubberlike sheet) will be placed around the tooth to help keep it clean and saliva-free during the procedure, and prevent bacteria from entering the area.
• A small hole is drilled through the tooth crown into the root canal chamber.
• The infected pulp is carefully extracted through the opening.
• The root canal chamber is then cleaned and disinfected to kill any bacteria left behind.
• The root canal is then gradually widened to allow enough space for the filling material.
• The root canal is filled with a thermoplastic material and sealed to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
• A temporary crown is fitted for a few weeks, while a permanent crown is made. The permanent crown will be fitted once it’s ready, and your bite adjusted.
• That’s it – you’re all done!

How long will root canal treatment take?

While it does depend on the complexity and severity of your case, and the number of teeth needing treatment, a root canal will generally take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes all up.

Are root canals painful?

While the procedure might sound painful (and decades ago, it certainly was), you’re unlikely to feel it these days. While the tooth needing the root canal will feel painful, that pain is from the inflammation already present in the tooth. The actual root canal treatment generally isn’t painful with the advances of modern dentistry, as the entire area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic. You may feel the sensations of the tools in your mouth, but, just as with a filling, you won’t feel any pain throughout the procedure. In fact, it will be more painful NOT treating the damaged tooth and having to live with the infection!

Root canal treatment aftercare

Your dentist will advise you on how to care for your tooth following the procedure, but generally you should try to avoid biting or chewing with the tooth for a few days afterwards. Good foods to eat following the procedure include things that are soft or cold (or both), such as yoghurt, ice cream, smoothies, bananas, peaches and other soft fruit, eggs etc. It’s recommended that you completely avoid hard, crunchy and chewy foods in the days immediately following the procedure, and chew with the other side of your mouth where possible.

It’s common to experience some discomfort and swelling once the anaesthetic wears off, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and a cold compress. You should feel back to normal within a few days, and be able to use your tooth normally again.

You’ll also need to attend a follow-up visit with your treating dentist to make sure your healing and recovery is going as expected, and that no further problems have arisen.

How long will a root canal treatment last?

When taken care of properly, a root canal treatment can last for many years (sometimes your entire lifetime). However, the longevity and success of the treatment can vary widely, depending on the patient’s general heath and care with their oral hygiene, as well as the skill of the dentist who performs the procedure (which is why it’s vitally important to use an experienced dentist such as Lentini Dental to give you the best chance of a good outcome: https://www.lentinidental.com.au/). Generally speaking though, you can expect a root canal to last anywhere between 10 and 20 years, although you can prolong it by maintaining good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental check-ups.

How much does a root canal treatment cost?

How long is a piece of string? The cost of the treatment will vary widely, depending on how many teeth need a root canal, the position of the teeth (those at the back of the mouth are harder to reach and treat) and the complexity of your case. Many dentists offer payment plans, however, to help make the cost of such treatment more affordable.

Will any dentist perform a root canal?

Root canal procedures can either be done by a general dentist or an endodontist, but, as mentioned above, the procedure will go much better in the hands of a skilled practitioner. If you think you might need a root canal in Melbourne, get in contact with the highly skilled professionals at Lentini Dental here: https://www.lentinidental.com.au/contact-us/