Root Canal Therapy
Peace of Mind
and Relief of Pain
Dental Domain performs root canal therapy on a tooth when it becomes abscessed, infected or is extremely painful.
With our digital equipment, the latest in anaesthesia to keep you comfortable (refer to STA Wand), and the uncompromised expertise of our dentists, we can provide relief of pain for our patients – and most importantly save your tooth!
A root canal treatment saves infected teeth that would otherwise have to be extracted and lost. A tooth can become infected or inflamed for a variety of reasons. When this happens you might notice severe toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, a discolouration of the tooth, inflammation of the gums surrounding the sore tooth, a sore or ulcer on the gum that is recurring, or a bad ‘metallic’ taste in the mouth.
During a root canal we remove the infected pulp tissue from the innermost part of the tooth. Even though the pulp has been removed, the tooth will stay intact because the canals are carefully cleaned and then resealed to prevent re-infection. Afterwards the tooth has no vital tissues within it, yet there are still vital tissues surrounding the root such as the gum, periodontal membrane and supporting bone. This means a treated tooth can function normally and be maintained with routine dental care and oral hygiene.
The treatment procedure is relatively comfortable and often painless, as the tooth is anaesthetised during treatment. Afterwards the tooth may be sensitive or tender for a few days due to inflammation of the surrounding tissues. However, this discomfort can be easily relieved by taking mild painkillers.
In some cases, your dentist may recommend a crown to protect the tooth, as the integrity of your tooth can be minimised after an invasive therapy like a root canal. A crown after a root canal provides reinforcement to your tooth and restores its functionality. It can protect your tooth from further sensitivity, help prevent further infections and provides security that your fragile tooth won’t be chipped in the future. You may be concerned about the colour of your tooth, and a crown can offer a natural looking tooth that matches surrounding teeth. Although adding a dental crown is not necessary after every root canal procedure, your dentist will discuss your situation with you and may recommend it for you.