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Root canal treatment helps maintain oral health and keep your natural teeth. Getting oral health problems checked early – and undergoing necessary treatments like root canals – can help prevent the need for more expensive and intensive surgery later on, like dental implants.
You may have root canal disease if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Lingering sensitivity to either hot or cold or liquids
- Sensitivity to sweets
- Pain from biting pressure
- Pain that is referred from a tooth to another area, such as the neck, temple, or the ear
- Spontaneous toothache i.e. while reading a magazine, watching television, etc.
- Constant or intermittent pain
- Severe pain or throbbing pain
- Pain that may occur in response to atmospheric pressure changes, i.e. when flying or scuba diving
- Pain that may occur in response to postural changes, i.e. when going from a standing to a reclining position
- Swelling
There are a number of benefits to undergoing this treatment:
- Stops the pain
- Prevents bacteria and pain spreading to the jaw bone
- Keeps the original tooth instead of replacing with denture, implant or bridge
Illustrations: Root Canal Treatment from Start to Finish
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1. A DEEP INFECTION
Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected or inflamed through injury or advanced decay. |
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2. A ROUTE TO THE ROOT
The tooth is anesthetised. An opening is made through the crown of the tooth to the pulp chamber. |
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3. REMOVING THE INFECTED/INFLAMED TISSUE
Special files are used to clean the infection and unhealthy pulp out of the canals. Irrigation is used to help clean the main canal (called lateral canals). Treatment may take several appointments depending on how complex your tooth is due to its shape, the location, length and curvature of the roots. |
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4. FILLING THE CANALS
The root canals are then sealed with a filling material to prevent re-infection or contamination. |
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5. REBUILDING THE TOOTH
A temporary filling material is placed to seal the opening until the tooth is ready to be prepared for a crown. A crown, sometimes called a cap, is made to look like a natural tooth, and is placed on top. |
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6. EXTRA SUPPORT
In some cases, a post is placed to give the crown extra support. |
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The first step in determining the right course of treatment is to book an appointment with a trusted, experienced dentist. Contact Dentistry by Design today to book an appointment.
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