Has your dentist told you that you need root canal treatment? If so, you’re not alone. Many teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal or endodontic treatment. At Cairns Precision Dental Group, we offer root canal treatments to help relieve your tooth pain and save your smile.
What is a Root Canal?
At root canal treatment is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp with a filling. The pulp consists of dental cells, blood vessels, tissue fibres and some nerve fibres located in the hollow space in the central part of the tooth. The procedure is also known as endodontic treatment. Root Canal treatment is a complex, precise treatment that involves the shaping and disinfection of the inside of the tooth which has becomes inflamed or infected.
Damage to the pulp may be caused by untreated dental decay, decay beneath a filling, tooth damage due to trauma, tooth grinding (bruxism) or gum disease. Trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess and facial swelling.
The Root Canal Procedure
To understand a root canal procedure, it helps to know about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, and helps to grow the root of your tooth during development.
If you’d like to find out more about our root canal treatments in Cairns, or make a booking, contact Cairns Precision Dental Group today. You can call us at (07) 4054 2203.
A diseased tooth pulp may cause inflammation or infection.
The symptoms of a damaged or diseased tooth pulp may include:
Sometimes, tooth pulp may become damaged or diseased without presenting any symptoms. In these cases, the problem is usually diagnosed by special tests or x-rays during a dental check-up or treatment for other dental concerns.
The Dangers of Untreated Infections
If tooth pulp infection is left untreated, complications could include:
If you suspect an infection, don’t hesitate to reach out to us ASAP.
During root canal treatment, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Afterwards, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling for protection. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.
Modern root canal treatment is very similar to having a routine filling and usually can be completed in two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances.
Root canal treatment is used to save teeth that would otherwise need to be removed.
What are the Advantages?
Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:
Endodontic treatment helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limits the need for ongoing dental work.
With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last as long as other natural teeth and often for a lifetime.
Contact Cairns Precision Dental Group today to enquire about our root canal treatments. We also offer crowns, bridges and other restorative dental treatments.
