Root Canal Therapy in Brisbane
We’ve all heard the urban legends about root canal therapy, or endodontic therapy, being an experience to be avoided.
But in fact, with root canal treatments the Wickham Terrace Dental team aim to alleviate the pain of a dead or dying tooth nerve, and at the same time help save your tooth.
If you experience the lengthy, intense toothache that can be caused by trauma, severe tooth decay, gum disease, or a damaged tooth, endodontic therapy may be the answer.
What does root canal mean?
The dental root canal is a small channel inside each of your teeth, containing nerves, blood vessels and other tissue. If your tooth’s nerve begins to die off, bacteria find the root canal a perfect place to move into, usually causing a painful toothache. And because the pulp tissue has degenerated, your body’s natural defence mechanisms find it difficult to reach into the area and combat these bacteria. Root canal treatment is one way to clear up this infection.
Root canal therapy can save your tooth
Your root canal procedure begins as we take x-rays with our in-house digital machine, to give us a detailed understanding of your situation. Armed with this information we can then carefully remove all the infected pulp from your tooth using our advanced nickel titanium rotary files.
In the next treatment phase we spin in a special temporary antibacterial filler, which helps to cleanse and soothe your tooth, alleviating the toothache. Over the next four to six weeks, this material will thoroughly remove any last traces of infection.
The final stage of your endodontic therapy involves plugging the excavated tooth and restoring its natural appearance with a dental crown. You can now relax and live without the pain of an infected tooth, all thanks to root canal therapy!
Is endodontic treatment the best option for you?
While root canal treatment is very effective, it may not be exactly the right solution for your personal situation. With more than 20 years combined experience in providing first-class modern dentistry, the Wickham Terrace Dental team have the know-how to assess your individual needs. We can then prescribe the best and most appropriate treatment method for you, whether that means a root canal or extraction.
For example, an alternative to root canal therapy could be having the problem tooth extracted and replaced using a dental implant. Made from very strong, biocompatible titanium, dental implants can be a natural-looking option for restoring missing teeth. The best first step towards enjoying a complete, beautiful smile once more is to speak to Dr Andrew Teakle and the Wickham Terrace Dental Brisbane team.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
To find out more about root canal therapy, or to arrange an appointment, contact the friendly Wickham Terrace Dental team today.
Root canal therapy FAQs
How will I know if I need root canal treatment?
A problem in your tooth can reveal itself in different ways. Most commonly, you may notice a toothache or pain in the area, which can range from very mild to severe. Gum tenderness or swelling around the area of the tooth root is also a common indicator. Our experienced dentists at Wickham Terrace Dental can also diagnose the need for treatment at your regular appointments, either by taking routine x-rays, by noting recurring gum pimples or lesions, or observing a tooth which has become noticeably darker than its neighbours.
If I don’t have pain, do I still need root canal therapy?
Pain is just one sign that you may need root canal treatment. If you’re in good health you may have a strong ability to fight infection, which means you could be completely unaware you have an infected tooth. That’s why it’s very important that you attend regular appointments with Wickham Terrace Dental, so we can assess your oral health and check for signs of any problems such as infection.
How painful is root canal treatment?
Thanks to local anaesthesia you will very rarely feel any pain during your treatment. When the local anaesthesia wears off around two to three hours later, you may have some very mild soreness.
Will I have any pain after root canal treatment?
You may experience some mild soreness after your endodontic therapy for one or two days, but over-the-counter pain relief such as Panadol will usually relieve this. It is rare that you will need any stronger pain medication, and in fact most of our patients need no pain medication at all.
What additional treatment will I need after root canal treatment?
Usually the Wickham Terrace Dental team will place a final restoration such as a crown over your tooth following your endodontic treatment. In most cases we can custom-make this crown for you in our on-site dental laboratory.
How much does a root canal cost?
The cost of root canal treatment will depend on the complexity of your individual case. In general, working on teeth closer to the front of the mouth will be less complicated, and will therefore have comparatively lower costs. Other factors also apply. The best way to find out your root canal cost is to book a personalised consultation with Wickham Terrace Dental.