Do I need a root canal? If you’ve been experiencing pain in your teeth or they’ve become overly sensitive and make eating and drinking difficult, there’s a good chance that you need a root canal treatment. For many people, the thought of getting a root canal is daunting, and something that they’d like to avoid if possible, but it isn’t a painful or complicated procedure at all. What’s more, due to the benefits, it certainly isn’t something that anyone should avoid.

Why Is Root Canal Treatment Important?

Root canal treatment is vital because it removes the infection that’s causing the inflammation and the pain you experience when eating or drinking. The infection is located in the dental pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the root canal, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including tooth decay and chips and cracks that have allowed food debris to settle inside the tooth. This increases toxic bacteria, which infects the pulp and surrounding nerves, and results in bad breath that won’t go away.
If there’s an infection in the dental pulp, a root canal may be required to remove the infected pulp tissue and surrounding nerves, and prevent further infection and abscesses forming that may result in the need to extract the tooth. While it’s possible to minimise the need for a root canal treatment with good dental habits and checkups at your local dentist in Templestowe, if you need a root canal it’s best not to postpone it as the infection in the pulp of the tooth could get significantly worse and may result in the need for a tooth extraction. If you notice any of these symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal treatment, book a dental checkup at your local dentist as soon as possible:

  • Ongoing and significant pain when eating, drinking or putting pressure on the tooth.
  • Holes, chips and cracks in a tooth.
  • Discolouring or darkening on the tooth.
  • Gum inflammation (gingivitis), abscesses or lesions around a tooth.
  • Swelling around the neck and face.

While a root canal may not be required, by having a dental specialist inspect your teeth and determine the best course of action, you’ll feel more comfortable and enjoy better dental health. If a root canal treatment is required, that timely checkup could save your tooth.

Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?

Contrary to popular belief, root canal treatment isn’t a complicated procedure at all, though you’ll need an x-ray beforehand, so the dental specialist knows exactly where the decay is located. Local anaesthesia will be administered to the tooth so you won’t feel a thing during the procedure, and when it’s over, you’ll feel no more discomfort than if you’d just had a filling.

If you notice any of the symptoms discussed here or you’re overdue for a dental checkup, book a checkup online at King Street Dental Group in Templestowe, or contact us on (03) 8842 4506 to learn more about root canal treatments and our available appointment times.