Root canal treatment in Cheltenham

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, saves a tooth whose inner pulp has become infected or inflamed. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains the nerve and blood vessels, and it can be damaged by deep decay, a crack or a knock to the tooth. During treatment the damaged pulp is removed, the hollow canals are cleaned and disinfected, and the space is sealed. The outer tooth is kept in place, so you keep your natural tooth rather than losing it.

Does a root canal cause pain, or relieve it?

The pain people fear is usually the infection itself, not the treatment. An infected or abscessed tooth can cause severe, throbbing toothache, and root canal treatment is what relieves that pain by removing the source of infection. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the tooth and gum are numb and you should not feel pain while it is done. Most people find it comparable to having a routine filling, and any tenderness afterwards is usually mild and short-lived.

What are the signs you might need a root canal?

Several symptoms can point to a tooth that needs root canal treatment. Watch for a persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed, pain when biting or chewing, a tooth that is darkening in colour, or swelling and tenderness in the nearby gum. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the problem is only found on a routine x-ray. Any tooth pain that does not settle should be assessed promptly, because early treatment gives the best chance of saving the tooth.

The root canal process, step by step

1. Assessment and x-ray. We examine the tooth and take an x-ray to confirm the diagnosis and map the canals inside the tooth.
2. Local anaesthetic. The tooth and surrounding gum are fully numbed so you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
3. Cleaning the canals. The infected or inflamed pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and disinfected.
4. Sealing. The cleaned canals are filled and sealed to prevent further infection.
5. Restoration. The tooth is rebuilt, usually with a crown for strength — often a same-day CEREC crown made and fitted in one visit.

Restoring the tooth after a root canal

A tooth that has had root canal treatment can become more brittle, so it usually needs a crown to protect it and restore full chewing strength. At Park Road Dental we use CEREC and Primescan digital technology to design and mill many crowns in a single appointment, which means your treated tooth can often be sealed and crowned without a second visit or temporary crown. A well-restored root-canal-treated tooth can last for many years and function like your other teeth.

Root canal costs and health funds

Every tooth is different, so the cost of root canal treatment depends on which tooth is involved, how many canals it has and whether a crown is needed afterwards. A front tooth with one canal differs from a molar with several. After we assess the tooth and take an x-ray, we give you a clear treatment plan and a written quote before any work begins. All major Australian health funds are accepted and claimed on the spot, so if you have dental extras cover you can claim your rebate at the practice and pay only the gap.