A root canal is a dental procedure designed to treat and save a severely damaged or infected tooth. Inside each tooth, there’s a soft tissue called pulp that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes infected or damaged due to deep decay, cracks, or trauma, it can lead to severe pain and potentially cause an abscess if left untreated. Sometimes however, this infection will only be detected during routine check-ups and x-rays. At times low-grade infections of the jaws are unbeknown to the patient until an acute flare-up – another reason to visit Smile Inc to identify whether any of these insidious areas are present.

During root canal treatment, the infection and the damaged tissue in the root/pulp is cleaned out, filled up and finally a ceramic overlay will be used to seal and protect the remaining tooth.

If you have any signs or symptoms below, it’s best to come in for a check-up to see whether there is any infection or decay, potentially requiring root canal treatment:

• Throbbing or sharp pain in a tooth
• Hot or cold sensitivity in one or more teeth
• Swollen gums, or little bumps on an area of gum that come and go
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Discolouration of a tooth or darkening of gums
• The sensation that one tooth is loose

If you experience any of these symptoms you may need a root canal. The sooner you have a check-up, the more likely you are to avoid a root canal. It’s also good to have regular check-ups as they may identify early signs of decay or other issues, before they affect the root.

Book a consultation or emergency root canal appointment at Smile Inc

A biomimetic approach aims to be minimally invasive and maximally conservative – striving to restore as much of your natural tooth structure and function as possible. This means we aim to remove as little of the tooth as possible in preparation for treatment and opt for ceramic overlays rather than a full crown to conserve as much of your tooth and its natural structure as possible.

It also means that we use the highest quality, biologically compatible sealers, which promote healing in the inflamed bony areas around the root tips following root canal treatment. Furthermore, we ensure durable and strong overlays are bonded to cover the now fragile root structure. That helps strengthen the tooth and protect it from future infection, cracks or fractures.

Dr Caitlin has completed extensive training in root canal therapy preparing her to treat more challenging root canal treatments as well as re-treatments when needed (i.e. where a reinfection has occurred under a previous root canal).  She is a firm believer that saving one’s own teeth is always first prize.