We’re Sunshine Coast Endodontists, Specialising in Root Canal Dentistry
Home »Root Canal Therapy (Endodontics) is a successful, non-painful treatment for a diseased tooth and surrounding unhealthy bone. It will provides relief from pain whilst also saving the tooth.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Unfortunately, untreated decay and sometimes trauma, overtime, can lead to the nerve of the tooth dying. This can lead to an abscess, or pain, requiring the tooth to have root-canal treatment or an extraction. The diseased tooth may not show symptoms for a long time, but in the meantime is spreading bacteria and pus into the surrounding bone, causing a negative effect on general health. Modern root-canal treatment involves cleaning out the necrotic and diseased tissue in the root canals, then sealing and filling the canals to prevent further infection.
Causes of infection and pain from the nerve:
- Deep decay in the tooth whereby bacteria are entering the nerve
- Breakdown or loss of an old filling
- Trauma
- Gum disease
- Crack in the tooth
- Extreme wear
Root Canal Dentist Treatments
How many Sunshine Coast Endodontist Appointments are Required:
Usually two-three visits are required, and typically pain is greatly relieved after the first visit. If a severe abscess has formed, oral antibiotics may be required to help treat the infection.
Visit 1
A small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth into where the nerve exists. The dead and diseased pulp tissue/nerve tissue is removed, irrigated and cleaned and the length of the root is measure. An antibiotic paste is then put into the root and left there until the next visit.
Visit 2
The tooth is irrigated again and the final shaping of the root-canals is done. More antibacterial medication will be applied.
Visit 3
The cleansed root-canals are then filled with an inert material called gutta percha and sealant. If the tooth is fragile, it is recommended to have the tooth crowned; usually 6-12months after the root canal treatment has been completed. Following root canal treatment, x-rays will be taken to monitor the growth of new healthy bone at the end of the roots.
Contact our Sunshine Coast Root Canal Dentists for a Consult
If you are suffering from hot or cold teeth sensitivity, tooth ache, or recurring mouth ulcers or gum pimples then you might need root canal dentist treatments carried out. If you’re ready to put your oral health first, then please make a dental appointment at one of our two clinics in Mooloolaba so our Sunshine Coast endodontist team can assess if this is the case.