Root Canal Therapy
The outer portion of your tooth consists of dental enamel. This enamel is actually the hardest substance in your entire body. While it may be strong, it is unfortunately not invincible to damage and decay. Tooth decay or trauma can end up damaging the enamel over time. Beneath your enamel is a soft layer that is known as dentin.
Inside of the dentin are chambers that dentists call root canal(s). This canal includes some blood vessels, the tooth’s nerve and soft tissues. The tooth’s nerve is not an essential part of the tooth’s overall function or health. It is useful before the tooth emerges from your gum, but its only job afterwards is to help you sense hot or cold temperatures. Because of this, removing the nerve will not impact your tooth’s general function.
Why May Root Canal Treatments Be Necessary?
Root Canal Treatment May Be Required when The Tooth Becomes:
- Painful
- Tender to bite on
- Sensitive to heat and cold
- May have an obvious large cavity, which extends into the nerve of the tooth
- Suddenly becomes dark in colour or trauma
- Sometimes the nerve of the tooth will die without causing any noticeable pain
Root canal treatment can save a tooth, preventing further tooth damage, loss and the complications that result from a missing tooth. Under a dental anaesthetic and a rubber dam, the remains of the nerve are cleaned through a small hole in the crown (the top part) of the tooth. Thin hand or rotary files are used, together with cleaning solutions. X-rays are taken to determine the length of the root canals. Finally, a sealant is placed in the canal. This often takes 2-3 appointments. Your dentist may suggest a crown, if required, to strengthen the tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What is root canal therapy at Deakin Dental in Mildura, and when might I need it?
Root canal therapy is a procedure performed at Deakin Dental in Mildura to save a tooth that has a damaged or infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels). You might need a root canal if you experience persistent tooth pain, tenderness when biting, sensitivity to hot or cold, have a large cavity, a darkened tooth, or have suffered trauma to a tooth. Sometimes, the nerve can die without noticeable pain, also requiring treatment.
02. Is root canal treatment at your Mildura clinic a painful procedure?
At Deakin Dental in Mildura, we prioritize your comfort. Root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. You might experience some mild discomfort or sensitivity in the days following the treatment, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Our experienced dentists in Mildura ensure the process is as comfortable as possible.
03. Why is root canal therapy necessary if the tooth's nerve isn't essential?
While the tooth’s nerve primarily functions to sense temperature and isn’t crucial for the tooth’s structure after it emerges, a damaged or infected nerve can cause significant painand lead to further complications, such as an abscess. Root canal therapy at Deakin Dental in Mildura removes this infected tissue, preventing further damage, saving the tooth, and alleviating tooth pain.
04. What does the root canal treatment process involve at Deakin Dental in Mildura?
The root canal process at our Mildura clinic typically involves numbing the tooth, placing a rubber dam to isolate it, creating a small opening in the crown, cleaning and shaping the infected root canal(s) using specialized instruments and cleaning solutions, taking X-rays to determine the canal length, and finally sealing the canal. This often requires 2-3 appointments. In some cases, our Mildura dentists may recommend a crown to strengthen the treated tooth.
05. Can root canal therapy at Deakin Dental in Mildura save my tooth from extraction?
Yes, the primary goal of root canal therapy at Deakin Dental in Mildura is to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted due to severe damage or infection. Preserving your natural tooth is often the best option for maintaining your bite, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting, and ensuring long-term oral health. If you’re in Mildura and have a severely damaged tooth, root canal therapy could be the solution to save it.
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