Administration of anaesthetic
During your 1st visit:
Anaesthetic is injected to numb the area surrounding the affected tooth. This helps to prevent you from feeling any pain during the procedure.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment is an endodontic procedure used to repair and save a severely infected or badly decayed tooth. It helps to relieve pain and make the tooth healthy.
During a root canal procedure, the infected pulp tissues are removed. After which, the inside of a tooth is disinfected and cleaned before it gets sealed with a filling.
With treatment, the tooth can recover and revert to its normal functions. Otherwise, the tooth may have to be extracted.
Do I need a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is needed for a fractured tooth due to injury, a badly decayed tooth, or issues arising from a filling.
As a general guideline, a root canal is required when you display any of the following symptoms:
- Serious pain while biting or chewing
- Deep decay in tooth
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold food and liquids that lingers after the stimuli has been removed
- Tender or swollen gums near the problem tooth
- Darkening of gums
- Recurring pimple-like bumps near the infected tooth
Steps in root canal treatment procedure
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Removal of pulp
Afterwards, a small opening will be made on the top of your tooth to expose the infected pulp. The dentist will proceed to clear the diseased pulp from within the tooth using files.
During which, special care is taken to clean the canals within your tooth.
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Filling of tooth
Once the infected materials have been removed and the tooth has been properly cleaned, it will be filled.
The opening made will be sealed with a temporary filling until your dental crown is ready.
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Placing of crown
During your 2nd visit:
The dentist will place a permanent crown on top of your tooth.
Depending on the severity of your condition, a small supporting post may be placed in your tooth to enhance the stability of the crown.
FAQs
The cost of a root canal treatment may be between $428 to $1,284 depending on the severity of your condition. Prices stated are inclusive of GST.
Contrary to what you read on the internet, the goal of a root canal treatment is not to cause you pain but to help you relieve it.
Most people can expect to feel a mild pain that should subside in a few days following the treatment. Extended periods of pain could indicate that something is wrong. Contact your dentist as soon as possible if the pain persists.
- Inflammation of sinus cavity
Because the roots of a tooth can reach the sinus cavity, treatment can lead to its inflammation. Fortunately, this usually subsides after a few weeks.
- Recurrence of an infection
An infection can occur after treatment when the seal of the tooth erodes, allowing bacteria to grow. In certain cases, a problem-causing root canal might have been missed during the treatment; bacteria can remain in the tooth, leading to an infection post treatment.
- Numbness around the affected area
During treatment, nerves in the surrounding area can get disrupted, resulting in numbness.
At times, the infection or decay may be serious enough that it affects the pulp. Root canal treatment will not be suitable in such cases as there is a possibility of failing.
A more suitable alternative would be dental extraction, where your tooth is extracted and replaced with a denture, bridge or implant. This helps to restore chewing, prevent shifting of teeth and reduce risks of gum diseases.
However, root canal treatment is the preferred treatment (if possible) as it fixes your natural tooth.
For a speedy recovery post-root canal treatment, you should take the following measures:
- Get a dental crown placed
A root canal treated tooth loses it’s tooth structure and makes it more prone to fracture. For that reason, a crown is required to provide proper protection against the strong forces of chewing and biting.
- Reduce the stress on tooth
Root-canal treated teeth are more brittle and susceptible to fractures. As such, you should avoid chewing or biting on the treated tooth to minimise the stress placed on it.
- Maintain good dental hygiene
After treatment, it is imperative that you stick to an oral care routine to maintain your crown and avoid future tooth infections. This consists of brushing your teeth thoroughly and gently, flossing, and attending regular checkups and cleaning sessions.
Some people may experience increased tooth sensitivity after treatment; using a soft-bristled toothbrush and oral care products targeted specifically for sensitive teeth may help alleviate the sensitivity.
You are advised to have plenty of rest after the treatment, but you should be able to get back to work the next day. Consult your dentist for more detailed aftercare instructions.
About 90% of root canals last up to 8 – 10 years with proper care.
Why choose i.Dental?
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Quality of treatment
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our team of experts ensures that you receive quality treatment.
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Modern dentistry
At i.Dental, we ensure that we keep up to date with technology – we use the Lightwalker laser system for increased patient comfort and efficiency.
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Convenience
We make dentistry more convenient for you. As a provider of comprehensive dental treatment, we offer a wide range of dental services. From dental check-up to orthodontic treatment, we’ve got you covered.