What to Expect During a Root Canal Treatment

Saving Your Natural Tooth

Root canal treatment has an unfair reputation. Modern techniques at FB Dental Yarrabilba make root canals comfortable and effective, saving teeth that would otherwise require extraction. Understanding the process helps ease anxiety about this tooth-saving procedure.

Why Root Canals Are Needed

When decay or trauma reaches the tooth's inner pulp (containing nerves and blood vessels), infection develops. Symptoms include severe toothache, prolonged sensitivity, darkening of the tooth, and swelling. Without treatment, infection spreads, potentially causing abscess and tooth loss.

The Treatment Process

After thorough numbing, we access the pulp chamber through the tooth's crown. Using specialised instruments, we remove infected pulp tissue and clean the root canals thoroughly. The canals are shaped, disinfected, and filled with biocompatible material. A temporary filling seals the tooth until your permanent crown is placed.

Pain and Comfort

Despite its reputation, root canal treatment itself is typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Local anaesthesia ensures you feel no pain during the procedure. Most patients report relief from the severe pain that brought them in. Post-procedure discomfort is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.

After Your Root Canal

Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent crown is placed. Some tenderness when biting is normal for a few days. Take prescribed medications as directed. A crown is usually recommended to protect the tooth long-term, as root-treated teeth become more brittle.

Experiencing tooth pain? Contact FB Dental Yarrabilba promptly for assessment and relief.