A root canal treatment is probably the one dental procedure patients fear more than any other. However, with today’s laser technology and pain relief choices, hearing “You need a root canal treatment” from your dentist need not cause the sense of impending doom it once did.

You might need a root canal treatment if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Severe tooth pain when you bite or chew
• Extreme sensitivity to cold or hot foods and beverages that lasts even after you swallow
• A dark-coloured tooth or teeth
• Tender, swollen gums
• Pus around a tooth or teeth
• A swollen face or neck
• A loose tooth or teeth

In rare cases, you might not have any symptoms, which is why it’s essential to keep up with your regular dental check-ups. Often, catching problems early can prevent the conditions that make a root canal treatment necessary.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal Treatment?

In addition to relieving your uncomfortable symptoms, a root canal treatment might be the only way to save your tooth. Since natural teeth function better than even implants, it’s important to preserve your natural teeth at all costs. Additionally, the infection that often occurs inside a badly damaged tooth can take a toll on your general health.

What Does a Root Canal Treatment Involve?

First, your dentist will take an X-ray of your tooth to look for possible bone infection and see the shape of the canals that run through your tooth’s roots. The dentist will then put a protective cover over your tooth.

Then, your dentist will administer your anaesthetic of choice. At Integrity Dental, we offer our root canal patients a variety of comfort options in addition to anaesthesia to make your experience more pleasant.

Once the medicine is working, the dentist will drill a hole in the damaged tooth and remove the dental pulp, the soft centre portion of your tooth that extends down into the roots.

Then, your dentist will fill the hollow space with a safe, non-reactive substance and seal it. If the top part (crown) of the tooth has extensive damage, the dentist will replace it with an attractive artificial crown.

Here at Integrity Dental, we offer patients the option of a laser root canal procedure. Laser technology provides patients with an easier recovery, with less discomfort after the procedure.

If you’ve experienced some of the symptoms of root canal issues, it’s time to book a visit to your local dentist. If you’re in the greater Sydney area, our caring team will do everything they can to ease your fears and give you a great experience — even with the once-dreaded root canal procedure.

For your convenience, we have offices in both Baulkham Hills and Dural. Book your appointment today!