Endodontic service
Most endodontic procedures can be carried out by a general dentist with normal skills and standard equipment. However, some procedures are more complex due to the anatomy of the tooth or previous treatment that has been provided. In these cases there can be advantages in having treatment completed by a dentist with advanced skills in this field. You may be offered a choice of referral privately to an external specialist or treatment by an accredited Dentist with Special Interests.
Why is root canal treatment needed?
If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth, eventually leading to an abscess. If RCT is not carried out, the infection may spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
Root canal treatment is not always successful, and the chance of a good outcome depends on the state of the tooth prior to treatment. You have been referred to a Dentist with Special Interests (DwSI) because your tooth has a complicating factor, your DwSI will be able to advise you of likely success rates in your particular case.
In some cases it is not possible to save a tooth by performing traditional root canal treatment. This may be because there is a new crown present, or a post has been cemented into the root canal. In these situations our team can use Endodontic Microsurgery in order to try and save the tooth.
Does it hurt??
A local anaesthetic is used and the whole procedure should feel little different to that of having a normal filling- although the appointments will be longer. There will often be some pain or discomfort for 3-4 days following the treatment, and occasionally some swelling. The tooth may feel slightly tender and "different" for a few weeks afterwards.
Not all root canal treatments go according to plan. It is a tricky and intricate procedure that requires years of experience to master. Teeth that have been root treated before may fail if the dentist could not fully clean all the canals properly, or if the tooth has an extra hidden canal.
You may require root canal treatment if you have pain or swelling associated with your teeth. Sometimes the tooth may not even be hurting but your dentist may have identified an issue that will require addressing before a more serious problem arises, you can always email us at dralextsai@hotmail.com or call our office (604) 708-8138 at anytime.