Advanced Dentistry
Root Canal Treatment in Mount Druitt
Save your natural tooth and relieve dental pain.
Advanced Dentistry
Relieve the pain, keep the tooth
When deep decay, a crack or an injury reaches the soft tissue inside a tooth, the dental pulp may become inflamed or infected. Root canal treatment removes the affected tissue, cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, and may allow your natural tooth to be saved instead of extracted.
Local anaesthetic and modern dental techniques are used to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Depending on the condition of the tooth and the extent of the infection, treatment may require more than one appointment.
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Why It Helps
Benefits of root canal treatment
Root canal therapy treats infection from inside a tooth. The benefits may include:
- Relief from toothache and pressure
- Removal of infected or inflamed pulp
- Retaining your natural tooth where possible
- Restoring comfortable biting and chewing
- Avoiding a gap caused by extraction
- Filling & crown options to protect the tooth
Your dentist will examine the affected tooth, take dental X-rays when required and explain the most appropriate treatment options.
Warning Signs
Signs of an infected or inflamed tooth include:
- Persistent or severe toothache
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Swelling or tenderness around a tooth
- A pimple or small lump on the gum
- Darkening or discolouration of a tooth
- A cracked, chipped or heavily filled tooth
Seek prompt care if you have facial swelling, fever, worsening pain or difficulty swallowing. Call Triple Zero (000) or attend an emergency department if swelling is making it hard to breathe, swallow or speak.
What To Expect
During root canal treatment
Examination, diagnosis & X-ray
We discuss your symptoms and carefully examine the tooth and surrounding gums. X-rays may assess the roots, surrounding bone and extent of the infection. We explain the diagnosis, treatment stages, costs and alternatives before beginning.
Local anaesthetic & canal cleaning
Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding area. A small opening is made to access the pulp chamber and canals, the infected tissue is removed, and the canals are carefully cleaned, shaped and disinfected. Medication or a temporary filling may be placed if another appointment is needed.
Sealing & restoring the tooth
The cleaned canals are filled and sealed to help prevent bacteria re-entering, and the tooth is restored with a filling or other suitable restoration. Back teeth and heavily damaged teeth commonly need a dental crown for added strength — though not every treated tooth requires one.
Aftercare
After your root canal treatment
Mild tenderness or sensitivity can occur after treatment and will often settle quickly. Follow the care instructions provided and avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on the treated tooth until its final restoration is completed.
Contact Mount Druitt Dental if your pain or swelling becomes severe, returns or doesn't improve.
Continue brushing twice daily, flossing and attending regular check-ups. A properly treated and restored tooth can continue functioning for many years, although the outcome and lifespan of dental treatment cannot be guaranteed.
Emergency Care
Emergency root canal treatment
Severe tooth pain or swelling should be assessed as soon as possible. Mount Druitt Dental keeps same-day emergency appointments available where possible, so we can diagnose the cause of your pain and discuss treatment. Your visit may include an examination, X-ray and temporary treatment to relieve discomfort, with further appointments to complete the root canal and permanently restore the tooth.
FAQs
Root canal questions, answered
Is root canal treatment painful?
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the tooth and surrounding area. You may feel some pressure during treatment and mild tenderness afterwards, but treatment is intended to remove the infected or inflamed tissue causing your dental pain.
How many appointments will I need?
Some root canal treatments can be completed in one appointment, while others require two or more visits. The number depends on the tooth, its root canal anatomy and the extent of the infection.
Do I need a crown after root canal treatment?
Not every root canal-treated tooth requires a crown. However, molars, premolars and significantly weakened teeth commonly benefit from a crown because they experience greater chewing forces.
Can antibiotics cure a root canal infection?
Antibiotics may sometimes be prescribed when an infection is spreading or for another clinical reason. However, antibiotics do not remove infected tissue from inside the tooth. Dental treatment is usually required to address the source of the infection.
Should I choose root canal treatment or extraction?
The most appropriate option depends on the condition of the tooth, whether it can be successfully restored, the expected costs and your preferences. Saving your natural tooth may prevent a gap from being left in your smile. If a tooth is extracted, it may later need to be replaced with a dental bridge, denture or dental implant.
Don't ignore ongoing tooth pain, swelling or sensitivity — early assessment may improve the chance of saving your tooth. Book a root canal consultation or call (02) 9677 1172 for urgent dental care.
