Root Canal Treatment

We believe in saving our natural teeth at all costs as there is no better replacement for our natural teeth.
More than 15 million teeth receive endodontic treatment—also known as a "root canal"— each year. By choosing endodontic treatment, you are choosing to keep your natural teeth as a healthy foundation for chewing and biting for years to come.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal treatment is one of the most common dental procedures, performed over 15 million times each year. This simple, highly effective treatment can save your tooth and prevent the need for dental extraction, implants, or bridges.

At the centre of every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves that help the tooth develop. When the pulp becomes infected due to deep decay, cracks, chips, trauma, or repeated dental work, it can cause pain, swelling, and abscess. Remember, root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain — it relieves it.

During root canal treatment, the infected pulp is gently removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, dressed with antibiotics, sealed, and then restored so it can function normally for years to come. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable. If needed, nitrous oxide can also be provided for extra relaxation.

Treatment is usually completed in one or two visits. You’ll be able to drive yourself home and often return to your normal activities the same day.

With modern techniques and the latest technology at Limestone Coast Dental, saving your natural tooth is easier, more comfortable, and more successful than ever.

SIGNS YOU MIGHT NEED A ROOT CANAL

Sever sensitivity to cold that is not subsiding
 
Sensitivity to hot that is alleviated by cold
 
Pain on eating on a specific tooth
 
Spontaneous pain on a specific tooth
 
Persistent throbbing pain on a specific tooth
 
Draining abscess on the gum

What Benefits may I experience?

A root canal offers several key benefits. By saving the natural tooth, it maintains the integrity of your smile and prevents the need for extraction. This not only contributes to your oral health but also supports your overall well-being.

Benefit of Root Canal Treatment

EFFECTIVE
PAIN RELIEF

Benefit of Root Canal Treatment

SAVES THE
NATURAL TOOTH

Benefit of Root Canal Treatment

IMPROVED
DENTAL FUNCTION

Gentle root canal treatment to save your natural tooth and relieve pain

The Stages of Endodontic Treatment

STEP 1

Pulp Removal
The infected or damaged pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth through the root canal via a small access hole.

STEP 2

Decay Removal
Decay is removed and the root canals are located, allowing for endodontic treatment to commence.

STEP 3

Canal Cleaning
The root canals are then cleaned, disinfected and shaped to fill the root canals.

STEP 4

Tooth Sealing
The final stage is to seal and fill the root canals with a filling material to prevent re-infection.

Care After The Root Canal Treatment?

Most patients recover quickly after a root canal, experiencing only mild discomfort for a day or two. This is usually manageable with simple pain relief, which our experienced dentists will discuss with you in detail after your treatment, so time off work is rarely needed.

Because root canal–treated teeth can be more fragile, we often recommend a dental crown to protect and restore them, especially back teeth that handle heavy chewing. A crown is a tooth-shaped, tooth-coloured porcelain cap that covers the tooth to provide strength and support. With our advanced CEREC technology, we can design, make, and fit a custom porcelain crown in a single visit, often in under two hours.

Learn more - FAQ

At Valley Dental, we strive to provide high-quality treatments that stand the test of time. It has been shown that root canal treatments have a success rate of 90-95% lasting over 10 years. As this figure is evidence based, you can ensure this figure can be applied to you with routine dental checkups and good oral health.

If you have a private health fund with major dental cover, they may cover a portion of the treatment costs. For further information or to check if you are covered, please book a consultation or contact our practice.

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