Root canal treatments are designed to remove infection found at the very root of the tooth. As with other endodontic treatments, root canal treatments treat what we often refer to as the ‘dental pulp’, i.e. the interior of the tooth.
We will recommend a root canal treatment if the dental pulp in a tooth has become infected or inflamed and is beyond repair through other forms of treatment. The most common causes of this are decay and injury, but it can also be caused by a leaking filling.
An infection or inflammation at the root of the tooth can cause an increase in sensitivity, as well as pain when chewing or biting down. In some cases, you might also have a loose tooth or even an abscess. With regular dental exams with our team at Cathedral Dental, we will hopefully be able to diagnose the need for a root canal treatment without you having to experience any of these uncomfortable symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned here, however, then we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible.
We know that root canal treatment has something of a misunderstood reputation among some patients. With modern techniques, cutting-edge technology, and our kind, gentle, and highly skilled team, there is simply nothing to be worried about, however.
In most cases, the treatment occurs over a single appointment, although there are some instances where two or three appointments might be necessary to successfully complete the treatment. In all cases, we’ll apply a local anaesthetic at the start of the treatment so you stay awake and aware, but don’t feel anything. Then, we’ll clean the canals, remove any infection that is present, and thoroughly clean the tooth. It will then be filled in with a rubber-type material to help stop the infection from occurring again. At this point, we might also apply a crown in order to return the tooth to full function.
