A root canal (also known as endodontic treatment) is a procedure that aims to save a tooth that has been badly damaged to decay, disease or injury.
The first step is a consultation which will involve an examination and possible x-rays. We’ll then plan a customized approach for your root canal treatment. And if you’re worried about pain, we can also discuss a range of options to help ensure you’re as comfortable and relaxed during the procedure as possible.
What is it?
The Process
Root canal procedures or endodontic treatment usually involves one or more visits. During these visits, the dentists will clean the tooth with dental files to remove any infected tissue, wash the infected tooth with a sterilizing solution and then seal it up, so that it does not get re-infected. The final procedure involves restoring your root canal treated tooth. If your tooth decay is extensive, the dentist may recommend restoring the tooth with a crown. This helps strengthen your tooth to heavy biting forces. As long as you continue to care for your teeth with regular brushing, gum care, and routine check-ups, your root canal treated tooth can potentially last you for several years.
Extensive Care
As with all medical and dental procedures, root canal procedures do have a certain amount of risk involved. The success of your root canal procedure is dependent on several factors. It could be related to, but not limited to your general well-being and health, including any underlying medical conditions, overall oral hygiene, age, the capacity to heal, and many more.
Although the chances of re-infection are low, they are not uncommon. In cases where the tooth gets re-infected after a root canal procedure, the dentist would perform a re-root canal treatment. However, if the infection is extensive and the tooth cannot be saved, the dentist would recommend getting the tooth extracted.
