Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)

What is Endodontic treatment (root canal therapy)

Endodontic treatment (root canal therapy) is used to help save a tooth. Every tooth has a nerve (or root) inside it. It is the nerve that can become sensitive to hot and cold and sweet sensations. It is also the nerve that can become extremely painful when it becomes unhealthy or infected. This is when the nerve will need to be removed from inside the tooth.

The dental pulp (soft tissue) inside the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels may become infected through a cracked or broken tooth, a deep decay, repeated dental procedures or traumatic injury to the tooth. Root canal therapy helps heal a damaged or decayed tooth.

The Endodontic (Root canal) procedure

Endodontic treatment involves removing diseased dental pulp and sealing the root canal to prevent further infection. Very fine files are carefully used to remove the tooth’s pulp, made up of dead or damaged nerve tissues, from the inside of the tooth. After thoroughly disinfecting the root canals, it is sealed properly with an inert material to prevent further infection.

Root canal treatment usually requires more than two visits.

If a patient decides to avoid root canal treatment, there is a reasonable risk that the tooth will become further damaged, and infection will continue to spread, resulting in an unavoidable extraction.

For more information on root canal therapy or endodontics, contact Eastwood Dental today, on 9874 9900.