Root Canals

If the pulp of a tooth becomes infected by bacteria or inflamed beyond treatment, an abscess forms at the base of the tooth, which can be very painful and debilitating. Treatment is essential if the tooth is to remain and not be extracted.

At Bendigo Family Dental Care, we have experience in such things and can therefore make root canals as comfortable as we can for our patients. The availability of rubber dam, rapid digital radiography and rotary endodontic techniques make this treatment easier for our patients.

If you are to have Root Canal Treatment it will usually require one to three appointments. During these appointments, the infected tissue is extracted, the inner chamber of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and finally, the tiny canals reshaped. The tooth is then filled with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial medicaments and sealed temporarily. You will then be invited to book a second appointment. Your next visit will be once the infection has subsided. We will then fill the canals with gutta percha, a plastic substance from a Malaysian tree called the Percha tree. The tooth is then sealed permanently.

Many root canal treated teeth often require a crown. This is to protect and strengthen the treated tooth. This would likely be done on a third visit.