Root Canal Treatment
Are you worried about getting a root canal?
Root canals have long been one of the most feared procedures in dentistry.
Today, however, dentistry has evolved to the point where root canal therapy is no longer the painful procedure it once was. It’s time to look past the bad reputation of the root canal and see it for the valuable, pain-relieving procedure it actually is.
Root Canal Therapy
Anatomically speaking, the root canal is the area of the tooth that houses the pulp and nerve. Sometimes this part of the tooth can become infected.
When this happens, not only is the tooth painful and sensitive, the infection can also spread to other areas of the mouth as well as other teeth. The most effective way to treat this infection is root canal therapy.
Once the anaesthetic takes effect, and you are completely numb, your dentist will create a small access point in your tooth. Working through this point, the infected material will be drained out along with the pulp and any other debris. The interior of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned out to make sure that no infection remains. An antibiotic medication may be placed inside the tooth to prevent further infection.
Your tooth will then be filled, and a cap or crown will most likely be placed. This is necessary because the structure of the tooth will be weakened, and a restoration will protect the tooth from breakage and also allow you to chew comfortably.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
If you have been experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call our clinic. You may have an infection that could require treatment.
- Severe pain in one or more teeth
- Pain that is aggravated by chewing or pressure
- Pain and sensitivity aggravated by hot or cold temperatures
- Darkening of one or more teeth
- A “pimple” on the gums
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek or jaw
Call our practice to arrange an appointment. Root canal therapy may be necessary to get rid of your pain and reduce your stress. We strive to treat emergencies quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the process can often remove a great deal of the fear surrounding dental procedures. During a root canal procedure, the goals of treatment are to stop the infection, prevent further damage, and relieve pain.
We begin by making sure that you are numb and comfortable. The next step is to open the tooth. We then use special instruments to carefully and thoroughly clean out the infection from the tooth and remove the infected or damaged nerve. If necessary, we may place an antibiotic treatment to prevent re-infection.
The access point in the tooth will be filled and sealed, and a crown may be placed. You may experience some soreness following the procedure as part of your body’s natural reaction to any perceived injury, but this will soon fade, and you will feel much better.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr John Capp
John Capp is Wollongong born and bred having attended the then selective Wollongong High School. He studied dentistry at Sydney University finishing in the top of his year being awarded the coveted Dental Operative Prize for Clinical Restorative Dentistry on graduation.
In his latter years at University, he received a Direct Entry Officer Scholarship and joined the Australian Defence Force. He practised as a dentist with the Army for five years at Puckapunyal and Townsville attaining the rank of Captain. In 1988 he set up two practices, Wollongong ...