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When a tooth suffers a deep root infection, it can leave it weak and vulnerable to breakage.
Fortunately, Root Canal Treatment with your Warriewood, NSW dentist can clear the infection and restore your bite force, keeping the tooth viable and aesthetically pleasing.
Root canal therapy also eliminates tooth pain and swelling.
Reasons for Root Canal Treatment in Warriewood, NSW
If you have significant tooth decay, trauma, or a deep root infection, a root canal restores the tooth to function, eliminating decay and infection.
In these situations, the root canal treatment saves your tooth from eventual breakage, the need for extraction, and the spread of infection.
How We Perform Root Canal Treatment
In most cases, a root infection or tooth trauma causes a severe toothache, sending you to the dentist for an emergency dental visit. Other times, an emerging root infection is found during your routine checkup before pain sets in, which is always fortunate.
Once your dentist diagnosis a root infection through an exam and x-rays, they set to work to relieve your pain and save your tooth.
The first step is numbing the treatment area with our powerful anesthesia. If you have dental anxiety or phobia, ask your Warriewood dentist about Sedation Dentistry as well.
Following anesthesia delivery, your dentist gently extracts the infected tissues and pulp from your tooth canal and thoroughly disinfects the canal. They then close with a temporary filling to promote healing.
After a week or two, you return to our dental office for a tooth-coloured filling or a dental crown. Your dentist typically recommends a dental crown if the infection has left your tooth weak and put it at risk for fracture.
A dental crown in Warriewood, NSW is a hollow cap that fits over your tooth to the gumline. It is always customized to look like your surrounding teeth in shade and in shape. Additionally, it creates a safe zone between your bite force and the treated tooth beneath.
Most patients report immediate relief following root canal therapy because the pain from infection can be severe. Remember, it is the treatment that relieves your pain.
Top 4 Benefits of Root Canal Treatments
Without root canal treatment, you’re at risk for:
- Eventual tooth extraction
- Future tooth fractures
- Spread of infection
- Ongoing pain and swelling
How to Recover from Root Canal?
After your anesthesia has worn off, you may notice mild tenderness at the treatment site, but this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen.
On the day of treatment, you may also want to avoid chewing sticky or more challenging foods with the treated tooth. And always avoid hot foods while the area is still numb.
If you’ve had anesthesia, we recommend not making any critical decisions on the day of treatment, not operating machinery, and not driving.
How Long Does a Root Canal Procedure Take?
Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your deep decay, trauma, or root infection. As a rule, your root canal treatment can last for thirty minutes or much longer. Your dentist can provide an estimate based on your specific case.
How to Prevent Root Canal Infections
The best ways to lower your risks for root infection include visiting your dentist regularly for dental checkups and teeth cleans.
Your checkup allows your dentist to spot an emerging infection before it causes you pain. And your professional teeth clean in Warriewood, NSW rids your teeth of the same ingredients that lead to decay and dental infections.
Between checkups and teeth cleans, it’s best to brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once—even better if you can brush and floss after all meals.
If you suffer tooth trauma, we recommend talking to your dentist because damage can lead to infection. Additionally, always wear the proper mouthguard if you compete in sports activities.
For Root Canal Treatment in Warriewood, NSW, We Encourage Your Call
A root infection can mean tooth sensitivity, but it may quickly escalate to a severe toothache. We invite you to contact our dental team if you notice tooth sensitivity or swelling, and we’ll arrange a booking with our emergency dentist in Warriewood, NSW as soon as possible.