Your teeth are incredibly detailed structures. On the inside of each is a channel that’s called your root canal. Within the canal is the dental pulp, comprised of nerves and blood vessels. It’s possible that the dental pulp can become diseased or even die off, causing a toothache or an abscess. In the past, extraction was the only option available. Today, however, comfortable, pain-free root canal treatments are available at South Yarra Family Dental Care

How can tooth pulp go bad?

Sometimes, there is no apparent cause. Often, though, the pulp of the tooth can become diseased for reasons such as:

• Chip or crack in a tooth
• Decay
• Deep cavities
• Extreme wear
• Fracture
• Trauma

The symptoms you may experience include pain, tooth discolouration, sensitivity, and soreness or swelling of the gums.

Why choose root canal treatment?

The aim of this procedure is to save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction due to disease, decay or injury. By choosing to keep your tooth with root canal treatment, you’ll have more efficient chewing and biting and stronger teeth. Furthermore, it keeps your teeth firmly in place, as opposed to those that might shift out of position due to a space left behind by an extraction.

What can I expect during treatment?

We recommend beginning the procedure as quickly as possible after it’s been agreed upon as the best way to proceed. First, we’ll access the root canal and clean out any infected or decayed material. After thoroughly disinfecting the area, we’ll seal the canal with a filling. It may be necessary to complete treatment over multiple visits, depending on your situation. If an infection has set in, we can prescribe you antibiotics to take.

How successful are the outcomes?

As with any medical treatment, root canal treatment may have risks. Since the root canal of the tooth is fine and curved, it can be difficult to clean, so we cannot guarantee success. The root canal’s effects will depend on your situation, including your age, health, healing capacity and more.

It’s also possible that bacteria could enter the tooth and cause a second infection. In such cases, a crown may be ideal to seal off the tooth. On occasion, a root canal may require a second treatment.