Root canal Therapy

Root Canal Treatment is performed to save a tooth that has been badly damaged due to decay, disease or injury. 

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Most people prefer to save their tooth with a root canal treatment because generally it will function better than an artificial tooth. Your own tooth is usually stronger and more efficient for biting and chewing. However, good an artificial tooth may be, it will never be more than just a substitute for a real tooth. 

 

Root canal treatment is needed when the dental pulp (nerves, blood vessels and other cells) inside the tooth has become inflamed as a result of:

• a deep cavity or filling

• trauma

• gum disease

• severe wear

• a crack within the tooth

 

The dental pulp sits inside the tooth in a series of fine canals (hollow tubes within the root) coming off a central chamber. 

 

Root canal therapy involves the removal of the diseased dental pulp, disinfection and the shaping of the canals (spaces) within the tooth with small files and irrigating solutions, and the obturation (filling) of the decontaminated canals. The canal spaces are then sealed with an inert type of rubber and a restoration (filling) placed to seal the tooth. 

 

The tooth is completely anaesthetised (under local anaesthesia) during this process so that it is painless. A lot of people even start to fall asleep! However, it is normal to have some tenderness following your appointments which will generally be manageable with regular pain medication. 

 

Dr. Logue completes root canal treatment over at least two appointments to ensure the greatest chance of success. Typically there is one appointment to clean and disinfect the tooth and another, a few weeks later, to seal the canals and place a filling. Both appointments take about an hour. There may also be a need for an initial appointment, to place antibiotic medication within the tooth, if pain or infection is present. 

 

Risks and complications

All medical procedures carry risks and in a very small number of cases complications can occur. Some of the complications that can be encountered with root canal treatment are:

• Resistant infection/Non-healing of tooth- While root canal treatment can save a high percentage of teeth, it cannot be guaranteed to be successful in every case. Success of root canal treatment can depend on a patients general health, capacity to heal, oral hygiene and the type of bacteria present in a tooth. 

• File Fracture- Special fine metal instruments are used to clean the root canal. On rare occasions they may break during use. Special procedures or a referral to an endodontist (root canal specialist) may be needed if this occurs. 

• Perforation- Rarely, during an attempt to access a difficult root canal system an opening can occur to the outside of the tooth. Special procedures or a referral to an endodontist (root canal specialist) may be needed if this occurs. 

• Discolouration- In some cases a tooth may lose its original whiteness and become darker. This can be treat by bleaching, or an artificial crown or veneer can be fitted. 

 

Following root canal treatment it is vital to restore and seal a tooth well to prevent re-infection. For a back tooth, this most often means a crown is required. 

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The cost of root canal treatment varies according to the number of canals in the tooth that require treatment. Front teeth (incisors) have one or two root canals. Premolars have one or two root canals. Molars usually have three or four canals. 

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The links below detail the costs of root canal (standard prices and preferred provider arrangement prices):

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Root Canal Prices 

Most people prefer to save their tooth with a root canal treatment because generally it will function better than an artificial tooth. Your own tooth is usually stronger and more efficient for biting and chewing. However good an artificial tooth may be, it will never be more than just a substitute for a real tooth. 

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