Root Canal Therapy otherwise known as RCT is a procedure that clears out the infection from the root canal. The treatment is offered to patients when the nerve of the tooth has been damaged by decay or has irreversible symptoms of pain and sensitivity. The damaged dental pulp, blood vessels and nerves will be cleaned out and sealed to prevent future infections.

Your general dentist in Hornsby Heights will be able to perform the RCT. However if the nerve has been calcified or too small to be located. The dentist is able to write a referral for an endodontist near Hornsby Heights to complete the treatment.

If left untreated, the infection of the root canal can swell and spread to other areas of the face, neck or head. An abscess can occur and bone loss can start around the tip of the root. This can result in making the tooth loose and losing the tooth altogether. Subsequently the infection can ooze into the gum and seep through the cheeks into the skin.

There are two main types of root canal therapy pulpectomy and apicoectomy.

Pulpectomy is a partial root canal where the dentist or specialist will open the tooth to check on the extent of the infection. The clinician will administer the antibiotics to help reduce the inflammation. This will initially relieve the pain and allow some time for the antibiotics to work.

After that first appointment, the patient will need to come back for follow up appointments to complete the treatment. During the second appointment the dentist will use small files to remove and decontaminate the infected pulp. The last stage will be obturation, where the root canal will be filled with Gutta Percha, a rubber like material that seals the tooth from bacteria. Depending on the condition of the tooth a composite filling or a crown will be placed to protect the tooth.

Apicoectomy is a more serious case where the infection has gone beyond the tip of the root. In order to save the tooth your dentist may recommend an apicoectomy. This is when the dentist or endodontist will open up the gums near the tooth and remove the infected root tip as well as the apical infection.

Once the area has been cleaned out and it is clear of infections, the canal is filled with Gutta Percha. A filling may be placed at the tip of the root canal, to prevent future reinfection. The gums will then be given a few stitches or sutures to help the tissue restore properly. The bones around the tip of the root will eventually heal and stabilise the tooth.

After the root canal treatment it is important to take care of the gums and treated area. So gentle brushing and flossing with addition to routine check up at the dentist near Hornsby Heights can make sure the signs of the infection or reinfection are completely gone.

Also during the RCT which may take up to several appointments, it is crucial to avoid eating hard or crunchy food as the tooth structure has been weakened. Hence it is essential to get the crown or permanent filling as recommended by your Hornsby Dentist.