Relieve tooth pain and help save your natural tooth.
A persistent toothache or sensitivity can sometimes be a sign of infection inside the tooth. Root canal treatment is used to remove the infection, relieve discomfort and, where possible, save your natural tooth rather than removing it.
At Acme Dental, Dr Ahalya provides root canal treatment with a focus on keeping you comfortable, explaining each step clearly and helping you understand your treatment options.
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, cracks, trauma or other damage, root canal treatment may be needed. During treatment, the infected tissue is carefully removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and the root canals are sealed to help prevent further infection.
Sometimes an infected tooth may have few or no obvious symptoms, which is why a dental examination and X-rays may be needed to determine the cause.
We’ll examine the tooth and may take dental X-rays to assess the tooth and surrounding area. Dr Ahalya will explain the findings and discuss whether treatment is appropriate.
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic before the infected or inflamed tissue is carefully removed from inside the tooth.
The root canals are thoroughly cleaned, shaped and disinfected before being filled and sealed.
The tooth is restored to protect it and return it to normal function — depending on its condition, this may involve a filling or dental crown.
It’s understandable to feel nervous about root canal treatment. Modern treatment is carried out using local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable, and in many cases it helps relieve the toothache caused by the infection itself. We’ll explain what’s happening throughout your appointment.
When appropriate, root canal treatment can help preserve your natural tooth and avoid an extraction — helping maintain your bite, chewing function and surrounding teeth for as long as possible.
Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthetic and is generally no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. In most cases it relieves existing pain rather than causing it, since it removes the source of the infection.
Cost depends on the tooth involved and complexity of treatment. Contact us for an assessment and a personalised quote — we also accept Southern Cross Easy-Claim.
Most root canal treatments are completed in one to three appointments, depending on the tooth and severity of the infection.
Persistent or severe toothache, pain when biting or chewing, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling, and a darkening tooth can all be signs of infection inside the tooth that may need root canal treatment.
Most patients return to normal activities the same day, though the area may feel numb for a few hours after treatment from the local anaesthetic.
The main alternative is extraction. Wherever possible, we prioritise saving your natural tooth through root canal treatment, since it preserves your bite and avoids the need for a bridge, implant, or denture later.
Don’t ignore persistent dental pain. If you’re experiencing a toothache, swelling or sensitivity, book an appointment with Dr Ahalya at Acme Dental in Devonport.