Root Canals at Adelaide Dental Spa

Root Canal Misconceptions

There’s a common myth that the only thing you need to treat an infected tooth is an antibiotic. Although an antibiotic can help the initial infection to go down, it will eventually come back because there is nowhere for the residual bacteria to go. It can lead to painful recurring abscesses, toothaches, swollen gums or complete deterioration of the tooth.

Getting a root canal helps to treat the source of the pain and infection, rather than lead to additional discomfort. Being that the tooth is numbed, cleaned out, medicated and filled, there is no longer a vital nerve to cause painful toothaches or throbbing that wakes you up at night.

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

If you suspect that you have a dental abscess, we will need to examine your tooth and take an X-ray of the root. With this added imaging, we can determine if there is an infection inside of the nerve or an abscess that is draining, even if you don’t have a visible pimple on your gums. Be sure to let us know if you’re experiencing symptoms like:

Frequent toothaches
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Throbbing around a tooth
Large, visible areas of decay
Pain medications not helping
Being unable to chew on that tooth

What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment typically involves a couple of visits:

Numbing the area – so you won’t feel anything
Cleaning the canals – removing infected pulp
Disinfecting and medicating the chamber
Filling and sealing the root canals
Crowning the tooth to protect and reinforce the structure

A crown helps prevent fractures and restores full function to your tooth.

Are There Alternatives to Root Canals?

If the infection has reached the nerve, a filling or crown alone is not enough

If decay reaches the tooth nerve, a filling or crown alone is not enough
Without a root canal, infection would be trapped, leading to more severe problems
The only alternative is tooth extraction
Preserving natural teeth is always the best option for long-term oral health and function