Root Canal Treatment

At First Choice Dental, root canals are done with the protection of a rubber dam to prevent any bacteria from invading the nerve space and under the magnification of a microscope allowing Dr Henry to achieve the best results possible.

By using a microscope Dr Henry is able to locate and treat the infected canals that are causing you pain by removing and cleaning the already dead or dying nerve.

Once the canals have been cleaned they are sealed with a softened rubber compound called gutta percha. This stops any further bacteria getting into your tooth’s canals and re-infecting the site which would compromise the success of the root canal.

If the procedure needs to take place over several visits, a temporary filling will be placed over the opening to protect the exposed pulp chamber and seal the tooth.

Once your root canal has been completed, your tooth can be filled. However it’s important to note that with your tooth’s core having now been cleaned and removed the outside or shell of your remaining tooth will be left brittle and need extra protection. This is why it is recommended to complete your treatment with a crown, which helps to strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure. It acts like armor for your tooth and stops it from breaking.

Many people have heard that root canal treatment are painful and uncomfortable.

Most of the pain actually occurs in the time before the treatment, when the nerve is exposed. Although there may be some tenderness for a day up to 1 week after the treatment, this can be helped with over-the-counter analgesics like Panadol or Nurofen. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help curb the infection, for any systemic effects such as fever or swelling.

Root canal therapy can be performed by your dentist over a number of visits. However, in more complicated cases an endodontist may be consulted, who specialises in pulp problems.

If you are in pain, please contact us today 02 4647 4570.