Dental care in Newport
Root canal treatment in Newport
Newport Family Dentist provides root canal treatment in Newport, VIC to remove infected or inflamed pulp, clean and seal the canals, and preserve a tooth where possible.
What is root canal treatment?
The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth. Treatment removes damaged pulp, cleans the canals and seals them. Suitability depends on the tooth and remaining structure.
Signs you may need root canal treatment
- Persistent toothache or lingering pain with hot or cold
- Pain when biting
- Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- A darkened tooth or persistent bad taste
Some affected teeth have no symptoms. An examination and appropriate X-rays help identify the cause. Severe toothache or swelling needs prompt advice.
From the practice
A closer look at treatment.
A short treatment film from the practice. Your dentist will explain the treatment, alternatives and risks that apply to you.
Use the video controls to pause, replay or turn on the music.
Music credits
Music: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I (Allegro), BWV 1049 — Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 4.0. Excerpt trimmed, level-adjusted and synchronised with this film.
Recording copyright: 2005 Kevin MacLeod. Composer: J. S. Bach. ISRC: USUAN1100303.
Changes: six-second excerpt (426.32–432.32s), loudness adjustment and short edge fades; synchronised with source footage trimmed at original speed.
Root canal treatment step by step
Diagnosis
Your dentist will first examine the tooth and take X-rays to determine the extent of the infection or damage.
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the tooth. Tell your dentist if anything feels uncomfortable. Ask about happy gas (nitrous oxide) if you feel anxious; suitability is assessed individually.
Dental dam and access
A dental dam isolates the tooth from the rest of the mouth. Your dentist makes an opening to reach the pulp chamber and root canals, then removes the inflamed or infected tissue.
Cleaning and shaping
Your dentist cleans and disinfects the root canals and shapes them to receive the filling material.
Filling the canals
After cleaning, your dentist fills and seals the canals. They then close the opening in the tooth with a temporary or permanent filling, according to the treatment plan.
Restoring the tooth
The remaining tooth needs a suitable restoration. Depending on its structure and bite, this may be a filling or a crown or onlay. Your dentist explains the options before treatment.
At this practice, root canal treatment is generally planned over at least three appointments, depending on the tooth, infection and restoration required. Your dentist explains the proposed visits, alternatives, risks and costs. Contact us with questions.
Frequently asked questions
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Your dentist uses local anaesthetic to numb the tooth. Tell your dentist if you feel discomfort during treatment. If you feel anxious, your dentist may consider happy gas after checking suitability. Tenderness can occur afterwards; follow your dentist’s advice and contact the practice if pain persists, worsens or swelling develops.
How many appointments does root canal treatment take?
At this practice, we generally plan treatment over at least three appointments. Your dentist cleans, shapes, fills and seals the canals. After that, they restore the tooth. The proposed number depends on the tooth, infection and restoration needed. Your dentist explains the schedule; root canal treatment elsewhere may use a different number of visits.
Restoring the tooth and considering alternatives
Do I need a crown after root canal treatment?
A tooth needing root canal treatment may already have lost structure through decay, a large filling or a fracture. A crown or onlay may help protect a weakened tooth, particularly a back tooth. Your dentist assesses the remaining structure and bite and explains the restoration options, risks and costs for your tooth.
What are the signs I might need a root canal?
Signs include toothache that lingers, pain with hot or cold that doesn’t settle, swelling of the gum, a tooth that has darkened, or a pimple-like bump on the gum. Some infected teeth cause no symptoms and are only found on X-rays at a check-up, so see a dentist to find the cause.
What’s the alternative to root canal treatment?
The main alternative is removing the tooth. The gap can then be left or filled with a bridge, a denture or a dental implant. Root canal treatment aims to keep your own tooth. Your dentist will explain what each option involves, including risks and costs, so you can decide.