Ease away your pain and anxiety with our gentle and caring root canal treatment in Melbourne.
At Gorgeous Smile Dentistry, we understand that a root canal can be a daunting prospect for many patients. But with our experienced and gentle team of dentists, you can rest assured that you're in good hands.
If you're avoiding a root canal because of the rumours you've heard, it's time to set the record straight. A root canal is a necessary dental procedure that can save your natural tooth and prevent further damage.
Our clinic is equipped with the latest technology to ensure your treatment is as comfortable as possible. We offer competitive prices and payment plans to make our services more affordable for you.
A root canal is a procedure to save a natural tooth that has become infected or damaged. The process involves removing the damaged or infected nerve tissue inside the tooth and the nerve. Once the nerve and tissue are removed, the tooth is sealed.
Dentists typically recommend a root canal when the alternative is to have the tooth extracted. Having a root canal can help prevent further damage from dental decay to the tooth and surrounding teeth, as well as help to improve your overall oral health.
While root canals can be done by either your dentist or an endodontist, it is essential to make sure that you see a qualified professional ensure that the procedure is done correctly.
How does root canal treatment work?
Root canal or endodontic treatment is necessary to save an infected or damaged tooth. The first step is to numb the area around the tooth. Next, a small opening is made in the tooth so the diseased pulp can be removed. The root canal is then cleaned and sealed. In most cases, a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment will need to be covered with a crown.
Root canal treatment can often be completed in one or two appointments with the dentist. It is important to remember that root canal treatment does not cause pain. The reality is that root canal treatment relieves pain caused by a damaged or infected tooth.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
Prolonged toothaches, extreme tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, and gum swelling due to severe tooth decay are some signs you may experience when you have an infected tooth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must see a dentist immediately.
Root canal treatment has more benefits than just relieving pain. Root canals can also:
Prevent the spread of infection
Removal of the infected pulp helps prevent infection spread to other teeth.
Save an infected tooth
We don't want to waste your natural teeth, and we will always work to save them if possible!
Eliminate the need for dental extractions
Dental extractions are only necessary when a tooth is too damaged to be saved.
Improve your oral health
By removing the inflamed or infected pulp from your tooth, we can help to improve your overall oral health. Root canal treatment helps to prevent the spread of infection and potential gum disease.
Maintain the function and structure of your teeth
Root canal treatment helps to preserve the function and remaining tooth structure. This is because the procedure removes the damaged or infected pulp while sealing the tooth to prevent further damage.
Your dentist will take dental X-rays of the tooth in question before beginning your root canal. This helps them understand how much damage has been done and if root canal therapy is the right treatment option.
Root canal treatment is very precise and can be a lengthy process but once determined that you will be undergoing a root canal procedure, here is the summary of the process you can expect:
1. Numbing the area around the tooth
You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. This will ensure that you are comfortable during the procedure.
2. Opening the tooth
Your dentist will drill a small tooth hole to access the infected pulp. Before beginning, your dentist will place a small rubber dam around the area to keep it clean and dry.
3. Cleaning out the infected pulp
The next step is cleaning out the infected pulp inside the tooth by removing the damaged or infected connective tissue inside the tooth and the nerve. Once the nerve and pulp are removed, the inside of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed.
4. Filling the tooth
The next step is to put a permanent filling on the tooth by placing a rubber-like material called gutta-percha inside the tooth. The gutta-percha will help to fill the space and protect the tooth from future infection.
5. Crown placement
In most cases, a dental crown will be placed over the tooth following root canal treatment to protect the tooth from further damage.
It is important to remember that root canal treatment is a general procedure that can help to save your tooth from infection or damage. If you are experiencing any symptoms of an infected tooth, you must see a dentist immediately.
Root Canal: starts at $1,400 *Better to ask for a quote as this will vary depending on the tooth.
Our objective at Gorgeous Smiles Dentistry is to give you a high-quality dental care experience that you can afford. As a result, we provide a variety of payment alternatives to fit your budget, including:
Root canals are usually not painful, but some people may experience minor discomfort during or after the procedure. In most cases, dentists prescribe over-the-counter pain medication to relieve any discomfort. Contact your dentist for evaluation and treatment if you are experiencing pain after treating your infected root canal.
Is root canal treatment right for me?
The best answer to this question is to consult with your dentist. They will be able to assess the condition of your teeth and recommend the best course of treatment. They will usually take an X-ray to determine the severity of the damage or infection.
How long does a root canal take?
On average, a root canal takes about 1 hour to complete. However, this will depend on the severity of the damage or infection. In some cases, a root canal may require 1 or 2 visits.
What are the three stages of root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is quite intricate and time-consuming, but here's a quick summary of what you can expect:
Stage 1 - Extirpation
The rubber dam and clamp are placed before small files clean the root canal to remove the nerve, control infection, and medicate the tooth. Put a temporary filling on the tooth and leave medication inside until Stage 2: Instrumentation. The procedure can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the tooth's complexity.
Stage 2 - Instrumentation
The rubber dam and clamp are placed in the mouth. The root canal is cleaned precisely to ensure that bacteria is controlled and the toothache subsides. Depending on the complexity of the tooth, this process can take 30 to 60 minutes.
Stage 3 - Obturation
We place a rubber dam and clamp, then use gutta percha material for root canal filling. The duration of this treatment ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the tooth's level of complexity.
How do you know you need a root canal?
You can only be sure that you need a root canal by consulting a dentist. However, there are specific symptoms you should be aware of. Among the most frequent root canal symptoms are:
Severe toothache when chewing or applying pressure
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Discolouration of the tooth
Swelling and tenderness in the gums
A small, pimple-like bump on the gums
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must see a dentist as soon as possible and seek endodontic treatment. They will be able to assess the condition of your teeth and recommend the best course of treatment.
How painful is root canal treatment?
Since local anaesthetic is used, a root canal treatment is no more painful than a filling or removing a wisdom tooth. However, a root canal typically accompanies some soreness or numbness after the treatment, which may last several days.
How long does it take to heal a root canal?
Root canal recovery often takes less than a week. A few days of mild discomfort may be present, although this can be controlled with medicine. Consult your dentist if you have significant pain or discomfort lasting more than a week.
How many visits does root canal treatment require?
Modern root canal treatment is usually completed within 1-2 appointments. The first appointment is the procedure to remove the infected pulp. The second (and sometimes third) appointment cleans and fills the root canal with a permanent crown or another filling to avoid infection.
Why do root canals take two visits?
The root canal procedure is done throughout two appointments to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, sealed, and safeguarded from further damage.
Book an Appointment
You can easily schedule an appointment with us by booking online or giving us a call at (03) 9042 0483. We always welcome new patients, so we look forward to meeting you soon!
Disclaimer: every treatment has risks. The treatment posted on this page might not be appropriate for your oral environment. You need a full consultation with an Australian qualified dental professional before we can confirm if you are a good candidate for any treatments. Results vary from person to person. This page’s posts does not replace real life dental professional’s examination & opinion. We are a very experienced team of general dentists with special interests in different fields if dentistry.
