What is Endodontic Therapy?

Endodontic, or root canal therapy, removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth. This tissue, called the pulp, contains nerves and blood vessels that help nourish the tooth.

After the pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, sterilised, filled and sealed. The tooth remains alive, nourished by the adjacent tissues of the gums and jaw.

What are the benefits of Endodontic Therapy?

Endodontic therapy saves teeth that would otherwise be extracted. There is no real substitute for your own tooth, which is more efficient in chewing and biting than an artificial one.

What causes the Problem with Teeth which need Endodontic Therapy?

The most common cause of pulp damage is severe decay or a fracture that exposes the pulp to bacteria that may cause infection. Other causes of pulp damage include traumatic injury, such as a blow to a tooth, a cracked or loose filling or repeated fillings in a tooth and occasionally periodontal, or gum disease.

How many appointments are necessary?

In the majority of cases endodontic therapy is completed in one visit. However, in certain clinical conditions, it may be necessary to delay completion of the treatment to a second or subsequent visit.

What are the alternatives to Endodontic Therapy?

Extraction is the only alternative, and unless the tooth is replaced, adjoining teeth will shift, resulting in changes in the bite and unsightly gaps between the teeth. Loss of a tooth can lead to periodontal disease and loss of additional teeth.

Replacing a tooth with an artificial one often requires dental procedures on adjacent healthy teeth.

What should you expect Following Endodontic Therapy?

The root canal system inside the tooth will have been thoroughly cleaned, and the irritated tissue and bacteria that caused the tooth to need root canal treatment will be gone.

It is normal to feel some tenderness in the area around the tooth over the few days following treatment as the body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also feel some tenderness in the jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time.

These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to the painkillers you normally take for a headache.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after endodontic therapy has been completed.

What should you do after Endodontic Therapy?

Root canal treatment is only one step in returning the tooth to full function. A proper final restoration of the tooth is extremely important in ensuring long-term success. You will need to see your own dentist within 2- 3 weeks after treatment to have the tooth completely restored. This may involve a filling, a crown, a bridge, an inlay etc.

What is likely Prognosis for an Endodontically Treated Tooth?

A tooth that has had appropriate endodontic therapy followed by a proper restoration can last as long as other natural teeth. However, you need to maintain good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, regular check-ups and cleaning.

We, or your dentist, may periodically x-ray the tooth to ensure that healing has occurred. Occasionally, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal, or pain continues. At times, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs repeating the endodontic therapy can save the tooth.

Is there any guarantee that the treatment will work?

Unfortunately, when dealing with nature, there is no guarantee that any treatment will work. However, research has shown that when root canal treatment is completed the success rate is probably in excess of 95%.