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Root Canal Treatment

Save Your Natural Teeth

Opting for root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, offers a high success rate to save your tooth, carried out comfortably with modern techniques! In fact, we often have patients falling asleep during the root canal procedure! The focus of root canal treatment is on the elimination of bacteria from the root canal system. The root canal procedure is a treatment that repairs and saves a tooth that is badly decayed and infected. Saving the tooth is preferable to extraction as this maintains the integrity of your jawbone.

Advantages of Root Canal Treatment

More efficient chewing
Restored bite force and sensation
Retain the natural appearance
Protect other teeth from excessive wear

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Severe toothache
Prolonged sensitivity
Discoloration of the tooth
Swelling around the tooth

Act Quickly to Save Your Tooth

If you are suffering we can help you stop the infection from spreading and prevent your tooth from further decay. We hold appointments open daily for emergencies. Contact us right now or book online.

Causes of root canal damage

Dental pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels is located in the root canals of every tooth. If the dental pulp is damaged or infected you will experience a severe toothache. Damaged dental pulp can be a result of trauma, extreme wear, an abscess or decay caused by a cavity, fracture, or crack in the tooth. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissue.

Root canal procedure

Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal which can save the natural tooth and prevent infection from spreading to surrounding teeth. The dentist will first take an x-ray to examine the infection and if an abscess exists it will be drained. The inflamed or infected dental pulp will be removed and the inside of the tooth carefully cleaned and disinfected to ensure the bacteria is eliminated. The tooth is then filled and sealed. The tooth will be fitted with a crown in the following appointment.

Root Canal FAQs

Is a root canal painful?

With modern technology there is little to no pain because your dentist will use local aneasthetic to numb your tooth and gums so you’re comfortable during the procedure. Its typically similar to having a deep filling, it just takes a little longer. Our dentists are renowned for their gentle dentistry. We also offer sedation dentistry for patients who experience dental anxiety.

How long does a root canal take?

A root canal typically requires one or two appointments to complete. If the tooth is badly infected a third appointment may be necessary. Usually the first appointment is around 90 minutes and another appointment of 30 minutes is necessary to fit the crown.

How serious is a root canal?

Living with nerve damage can be excruciatingly painful and worth the relief from a relatively straight forward procedure. More concerning is that untreated root canal infections can spread beyond the tooth to the jaw, the face, and even into the bloodstream.

What is the difference between root canal vs extraction?

When a tooth can be saved dentists will opt for root canal over tooth extraction for three reasons.

Root canals have better success rates than tooth extractions.
Keeping your natural tooth will maintain your natural smile.
Saving your tooth in the jaw preserves the integrity of your jawbone.
The natural tooth eliminates the need for an artificial restoration that is necessary to maintain the spacing of surrounding teeth after an extraction.

Affordable Root Canals

Thompson Dental provides quality dentistry at reasonable prices.

Finance for Root Canals

WINZ, ACC and Q-Card can help you finance quality dental care to save your teeth. Learn more about the various dental finance options available to help you maintain your teeth for life for better health.

Free Root Canals for Teenagers

Healthy teeth and gums play an important role in your child’s ability to eat, speak, smile and socialise. For this reason, the ministry of health provides free preventive, restorative and specialist dental treatments to adolescents from year 9 until their 18th birthday.