Root Canal Treatments

A root canal is a common dental treatment that can save a tooth from being extracted.

Root canal treatment is often needed when the nerve inside your tooth dies because of a bacterial infection. This bacterial infection usually occurs due to significant decay within the tooth. But nerve death can also result from trauma to the tooth from an accident.

You’ll initially have a pretty painful toothache. This can include pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food. You may experience swelling around your jaw.

As the bacterial infection gets worse, some of your symptoms may lessen. This happens because the nerve inside the tooth dies, meaning you can’t feel it as much. Although it may feel like your tooth has healed, the infection hasn’t gone away and won’t heal on its own. That’s why it’s important to get your toothache checked by a dentist.

First we x-ray your tooth. If the decay is only surface level, you’ll only need a filling. But if the decay is worse and bacteria has spread to the inside of your tooth, it’s likely you’ll need a root canal.

Root canal treatment normally involves two to three appointments, but luckily the toothache and pain is usually sorted out at your first appointment.

A root canal procedure involves removing the dead rotting nerve, and filling the nerve canal with an inert rubber material. Then the tooth is sealed with a filling or a crown.

When left unchecked, nerve death usually leads to abscess formation and facial swelling. If this happens, we consider it a dental emergency and you should seek urgent treatment.

Depending on your location we can normally see you on the day you phone and some of our Branches can offer care 7 days a week 364 days a year.

If you have a toothache, call your local Team Dental and make an appointment today.