Root Canal Procedure – What to Expect on the Treatment

The mere mention of a “root canal” is enough to send a shiver down most people’s spines, yet most of us aren’t entirely sure what a root canal is. 

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure that removes an infection from a tooth and helps prevent re-infection. The root canal procedure is carried out in the pulp of the tooth, which houses the root canal chambers. 

A common misconception is that a “root canal” is the treatment itself. Whereas it’s part of a tooth - the hollow section containing a network of nerves, blood vessels, and other cells, also known as “pulp.” 

A root canal procedure removes infection contained within the root canal and prevents it from recurring. And, therefore protecting the tooth from further harm. 

Root canal treatment forms part of a specialised sector of dentistry, known as endodontics, which means “inside the tooth.” However, the term “root canal” is now widely used when talking about the procedure as a whole. 

The root canal procedure is carried out in three steps. 

The first step of the root canal procedure is the removal of infected material inside the root canal. 

The dentist numbs the patient’s mouth with a local anaesthetic and drills a small access hole on the tooth’s surface. This enables them to remove infected and diseased material from the canals using a series of tiny files. 

Next, the dentist uses tiny files and irrigation solutions to clean, shape, and disinfect the hollow area. Once done, the next step is to fill the area with a rubber-like material while adhesive cement completely seals the canals. 

After root canal treatment, the tooth is dead. The patient will not feel any more pain because the nerve tissue has been removed and the infection eliminated. 

The tooth is now in a more fragile condition than it was before. Fortunately, teeth with no pulp can still receive nourishment from the ligament attaching them to the bone. However, while this supply is sufficient, the tooth will eventually become brittle. For this reason, the dentist will protect it with a filling or crown. Once fitted, the tooth can last for many years. 

A patient should refrain from chewing or biting on the affected tooth until it has received a filling or dental crown. Only then can the patient use it as usual. 

Often, the root canal procedure can be completed in a single appointment. However, significant infections, multi-canals and curved canals may require one or more additional dental visits. 

Most patients worry that the root canal procedure will be painful, whereas, in truth, it should be relatively pain-free when carried out by an experienced dentist. 

You see, the pain comes from the infection and not the treatment. Endodontic therapy does not cause pain; it helps to alleviate it. 

A local anaesthetic will relieve any discomfort of the procedure by numbing the tooth and the surrounding area. 

Following treatment, it’s normal for the mouth to feel a little tender. Patients can take over the counter medication to ease their discomfort, which should subside in a few days. Your dentist can prescribe stronger medication if necessary and an antibiotic to treat or prevent any infection. 

Bacteria can enter the pulp if a patient has a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or a loose filling.  

Pulp has no way of repairing itself if it becomes injured or diseased, and eventually, the bacteria will destroy it. Should the bacteria penetrate through the root openings, it can cause infection in the bone. 

The infection will weaken the bone and wear it down. As a result, the ligaments around the tooth will swell, loosening the tooth.  

A tooth becomes sensitive to high and low temperatures when the pulp is injured. As a result, a person may feel pain when chewing or suffer continuous throbbing tooth pain. 

When left untreated, the infection will spread, the tooth will loosen, and extraction will be necessary. 

Some patients choose extraction, especially if they are in a lot of pain or if the dentist cannot restore the tooth due to trauma, loss of bone because of gum disease, or extensive decay. 

However, extraction may cause the neighbouring teeth to move, become misaligned, and affect the bite. 

The root canal procedure will eliminate pain and save the tooth from extraction. 

Saving the tooth is the best option because nothing functions as well as a natural tooth. However, on occasions where the tooth cannot be saved, a dental implant is the best option for your oral health. 

Generally speaking, root canal treatment is a relatively cost-effective solution. 

The other option is extraction and the cost of a bridge or implant to replace the tooth at a later date is usually more expensive. Extraction can also lead to misalignment and difficulty chewing. 

If you suspect you have an infected tooth and need root canal treatment in Richmond, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced dentists at Riverland Dental on (02) 4501 7930. We use the latest dental techniques and technologies and also offer sedation dentistry for anxious or nervous patients.