Root Canal Treatment – what to expect

If you’ve been having toothache and, after an examination and some x-rays, your dentist has told you your tooth will need root canal treatment, you may be wondering what that means.

Root canal treatment - also called endodontic treatment - may be performed by dentists and endodontists.  It is done when the pulp in the hollow centre of a tooth becomes infected and inflamed.

Basically the procedure involves removing the infected pulp and replacing it with a permanent filling.  Since the pulp is contained in the ‘pulp chamber’ of your tooth and also extends down each ‘canal’ in the root of the tooth, the procedure has the name ‘root canal treatment’.

It usually takes a few visits at the dentist to complete.  The tooth must be opened up and all decay and pulp removed, the individual canals cleaned and shaped, and the whole structure cleaned and disinfected until there is no sign of bacteria or decay left.  Then the tooth may be filled, with a special barrier material.   Finally the tooth may be restored using a post and filling material, in order to create biting surfaces.  It may also be covered with a crown – usually porcelain or gold – to protect it from further damage.

Root canal treatment may mean the difference between having your tooth extracted, and keeping your tooth – potentially for a long time if good oral health is maintained.  If you are experiencing any toothache and would like to see a dentist, call a dentist in Sydney CBD today for an appointment.