Root Canal Treatment in Auckland
What is a root canal treatment?
Root Canal is one of the largest searched terms in Dentistry. It’s a term that’s thrown around at the first sign of trouble…mention you have a sore mouth and someone inevitably says “You probably need a root canal done!” As such, it is very common to have a patient in the dental chair ask us “What is Root Canal Treatment?”
Root canal treatment is a last ditch attempt to save your tooth (from a dental extraction) by eliminating the ‘dental infection’ inside it and to maintain it as a functioning member in your mouth. Every tooth is hollow and the central part is a nerve chamber, connected to the tip of the root by nerves and blood capillaries. ‘Dental decay’ allows bacteria to enter the sterile chamber and create a ‘dental abscess’.
A dentist with special training in ‘Root canal treatment’, opens up the nerve chamber and using specialized files and reamers, flushes and cleans out the infection, places a calcium dressing and then fills the void inside the tooth. When done with enhanced vision, the root treatment is highly successful. Unfortunately, when this advanced treatment is attempted by less qualified professionals, failures result.
Sometimes, a complex root anatomy requires a referral to an Endodontist / Specialist. We always determine if a Specialist referral is required after taking a couple of x-rays of the affected tooth. On completion of the root canal treatment, the Endodontist will refer you back to Caring 4 Smiles for the placement of a crown to protect the weakened tooth, specially if this is a molar.
Molars should be crowned and protected from masticatory forces to prevent ‘tooth fracture’. Root treated teeth last decades and more. The best ‘dental implant’ is your own tooth – save it.
If you need more information on “Root Canal treatment’ or need to know ‘costs of root canal treatment’, call Caring 4 Smiles (09) 631 5416 or email us on : [email protected]
