Root Canal (Endodontic) Treatment
in Northbridge

It's a common misconception that root canal treatments cause pain. The pain associated with endodontic treatment comes from the tooth infection itself, when bacteria irritate and inflame the nerves inside the tooth.

Having a root canal treatment actually helps to ease this pain, while also preventing further infections. At Sailors Bay Dentistry, we use the latest dental technology to help us improve the patient experience and reduce pain and discomfort.

As local anaesthesia is used to numb the mouth during root canal therapy, it's not usually more painful than having a general dental procedure. If you feel nervous about having a root canal, we can discuss sedation options that could help you to relax.

Your mouth may feel sore after the treatment, but this can be managed by taking over-the-counter painkillers.

It can take a few days for discomfort and swelling to subside after root canal treatment, which can be managed with pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication. We'll also advise you to avoid hard or crunchy foods for several days to help your tooth and gum heal and make sure the crown or filling doesn't come loose.

It's important to maintain good oral hygiene and to brush and floss the treated tooth just like the rest of your teeth, so you can avoid problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. A root canaled tooth may sometimes darken over time after the pulp tissue has been removed, but it should still function like a normal tooth.

Root canal therapy is successful in most cases, but sometimes a tooth may become re-infected or cracked and need to be extracted. If the tooth darkens, we can discuss treatments to lighten its appearance, such as placing a larger crown.

The risk of complications following root canal therapy is minor, but we'll still make sure you're aware of the clinical risks so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.

A tooth infection can't always be avoided, but you can lower your risk of needing a root canal treatment in the future by keeping your teeth and gums healthy and wearing a mouthguard when playing sports to prevent dental injuries.

Keeping up with your regular dental check-ups will give our dentists the chance to spot a tooth infection and other oral health problems before they become serious.

Root canal therapy is usually the only way to save an infected tooth. Most teeth treated with endodontic therapy continue to function as normal and should last as long as the rest of your teeth with proper care.

The only alternative to root canal treatment is an extraction, but our dentists will always try to save a tooth rather than extract it. Losing a tooth can cause long-term problems if the surrounding teeth shift position and become crooked.

If you have a more serious infection of your teeth or gums, we may need to perform oral surgery to extract the infected tissue. We may also prescribe a course of antibiotics to help you fight an infection and stop it from spreading.

There's no fixed cost for root canal therapy, as this is based on how severe and complex the infection is and the type of restoration you choose. We can give you a quote for root canal treatment during your consultation.

If you have dental insurance, you should be able to claim part of the treatment on your health fund. We can also discuss finance options to help make your treatment more affordable.