What you need to know before your root canal procedure

Have you recently been told you or a loved one may need a root canal? You wouldn’t be alone, this fairly common dental procedure saves millions of teeth per year and can help keep your smile looking fresh.

What is a root canal procedure?

A root canal, also known as an endodontic procedure, is a specialised type of dental treatment where the dentist repairs the inside damage done to the tooth. It is performed using a specialised tool to drill directly into the tooth, past the hard enamel to the soft inside known as the “dental pulp”. From there the infected/dead tooth pulp is removed to prevent any kind of spreading of the infection to surrounding structures.

Once the infected pulp is removed, the tooth is then cleaned and capped with a dental crown to protect it, increase its strength and reduce sensitivity.

What causes root canals?

Patients will need a root canal procedure when their dental pulp gets diseased. There are multiple reasons this can happen which include:

• A deep crack in the tooth reaches the dental pulp.

• An injury to a tooth could happen from a crash or a sports injury.

• Gum disease or a decayed tooth that extends into the pulp chamber causing infection.

What are the signs of needing root canal therapy?

There are a number of obvious symptoms you would experience if you were needing a root canal treatment, such as:

• Severe pain and toothache while eating from the infected tooth

• The tooth looks darker than other teeth

• A loose tooth

• Sensitivity to hot or cold that persists after the cause has been removed

• Pus around the infected tooth

• Pimples on the soft tissue of the gums

What is the root canal process?

To begin your root canal therapy, your dentist will take a dental x-ray to see the shape of your tooth and to see if the infection has spread.

A small piece of rubber, called a rubber dam, will be placed over the infected tooth to stop contamination during dental procedures. This shouldn’t impact any of your breathing but it may feel a little awkward.

The dentist will then get you all prepared for your root canal treatment by giving you a local anaesthetic to make sure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. They will then begin drilling a hole directly into your numbed tooth to remove the infected tooth pulp before cleaning and shaping the treated canal of the tooth.

It may take multiple treatments to completely remove the infected material and sterilise the canal with special medicaments. The tooth access is sealed with a temporary filling before getting you back in for your follow-up appointment.

When the treatment is finished, your dentist will fill the space with a material called gutta percha and then the access is sealed. An artificial crown is placed on your natural tooth to protect it from degrading and splitting.

Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment

• How long do root canal treatments last?

  According to this report by the Journal of Endodontics, 98% of root canals survive one year, 92% last 5 years and 86% last 10 years.

• Is a root canal painful?

  With local anaesthetic, a root canal treatment is no more painful than a regular dental procedure, it just may last a bit longer, so it may be a bit more uncomfortable but you shouldn’t feel any severe pain.

• How long does root canal treatment take to heal?

  Normal recovery for a root canal treatment is under a week, with mild discomfort for the first few days. After which you can go back to your normal food and lifestyle.

• What should you avoid after a root canal treatment?

  • Foods that are very hot/cold (avoid ice cream and hot soup)

  • Foods that need a lot of chewing (thick steak, crispy bread)

  • Foods that are sticky (no gum, caramels)

  • Foods that are crunchy (potato chips, crackers and raw carrots)

• Do root canals need a crown?

  Not all root canal treatments will need a crown. It will depend on how the remaining tooth structure prevails. If the majority of the tooth had to be removed, you will need a crown to support the tooth after your root canal treatment.

• Why do root canals take several visits?

  The infected material within the tooth has to be removed and the empty space sterilised with medication. There are certain protocols to adhere to so that the procedure may have a high level of success. The average number of visits for a root canal is usually 3 visits.

• Can an x-ray tell you if you need a root canal?

  An x-ray will definitely let you know if you need a root canal treatment, they give the dentist the best view of your diseased tooth and let them know if they need to continue with the procedure.

• Are root canal treatments covered by Medicare?

  No, most dental treatments and appointments are not covered by Medicare. Including fillings, dentures, teeth whitening and of course, your root canal treatment.

If you have any other questions about root canal treatments, we recommend booking an appointment with one of the dentists at Cambridge City Dental. Our doors are always open to new patients and we look forward to helping you with any teeth concerns you may have. You can book an appointment online or call us on. We look forward to meeting you!

Want to find out more about root canal treatment? Book an appointment with the dentists at Cambridge City Dental.