Rather than extracting the infected tooth, our local dentists in Fremantle can perform root canal treatment to help restore its former strength and appearance.
Who needs root canal treatment?
Root canals are suitable for adults and children who already have their permanent teeth. This procedure is performed when a tooth has been badly damaged but can still be repaired.
We may recommend a root canal if your tooth has been damaged by:
- Trauma resulting from injury
- Tooth decay reaching the pulp
- Gum disease (periodontal disease)
- Repeated dental procedures.
What are the benefits of a root canal?
When tooth decay or other infections reach the nerve endings at the centre of your tooth (the pulp), this can cause chronic pain and discomfort as well as putting your health at risk if the infection spreads to other parts of your body.
Root canal treatment is one of the most common dental procedures. It involves removing the infected pulp, replacing it with a synthetic material and sealing the tooth with a crown or filling. The treated tooth will look and function as good as new.
What happens during root canal surgery?
Our dentists will recommend a root canal if there’s a good chance that your tooth can still be repaired. We will take x-rays of your mouth and explain what the procedure involves.
Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthetic to numb pain in the tooth and the surrounding gum. During the procedure, we will open the tooth to expose the root, extract the inflamed or infected pulp and replace it with a compatible material before sealing.
We will normally place a temporary filling to protect the tooth while it heals, which can later be replaced with a permanent white filling or dental crown on your next visit. Your repaired tooth will look, feel and function just like it did originally, and as long as you take care of your oral hygiene, it should last as long as your other teeth.
