Root Canal at Your Friendly Family Dentist: We prioritize hard work, honesty, and achieving perfection in every smile we create. Making dental care accessible: We understand that cost can be a concern. That’s why we offer numerous flexible payment plans, including options for payment through superannuation. Your comfort is our priority: We offer on-site IV sedation and conscious sedation for patients who may experience anxiety during dental procedures.
A root canal. The term itself often evokes fear and anxiety. But what exactly is a root canal, and is it that bad? Let’s delve into the details of this dental procedure, separating fact from fiction.
A root canal, also known as endodontic therapy, is a treatment designed to save a severely damaged or infected tooth. The inner part of your tooth, called the pulp, contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes inflamed or infected, due to deep decay, trauma, or other reasons, a root canal becomes necessary.
The root canal procedure involves several steps:
Local Anaesthetic: Your dentist will numb the area around the tooth to ensure minimal discomfort.
Accessing the Pulp: A small opening is created in the crown of the tooth to access the inflamed pulp.
Pulp Removal: The infected pulp, including nerves and blood vessels, is carefully removed.
Cleaning and Shaping: The canals within the tooth’s root are meticulously cleaned and shaped to eliminate any remaining bacteria.
Filling and Sealing: The cleaned canals are filled with a special material and sealed to prevent reinfection.
Restoration: A crown or filling is placed on the tooth to restore its strength and function.
Anterior teeth, including incisors and canines, typically have simpler root structures with one or two canals. This translates to:
Posterior teeth, including premolars and molars, have more complex anatomy. They often have multiple canals (2-4) with intricate curves. This complexity leads to some differences in the procedure:
By understanding the differences between anterior and posterior root canals, you can gain a clearer picture of what to expect during the procedure depending on the location of the affected tooth.
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