Where to Go for Root Canal Treatments in Port Melbourne
Sometimes, you may find yourself in unexpected situations dealing with dental problems like damaged or infected teeth. When that happens, you may worry about having to extract the tooth.
The good news is that extraction is not always the only option available if you have a severely damaged or infected tooth. Depending on your case, a root canal treatment could save your tooth without removing it.
So, if you’re wondering where to go for a root canal in Port Melbourne, look no further than Port Melbourne Dental, where we strive to save your natural teeth without extraction, whenever possible. This is because natural teeth play a significant role in maintaining appearance and functionality.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
There’s a soft tissue called a dental pulp in the centre of your teeth and the canals of the tooth roots. This nerve tissue holds both sensitive nerves and blood vessels and also provides oxygen, nutrients and feeling to your teeth. When this dental pulp is damaged or infected, it can cause severe pain.
During root canal treatment, our dentist removes this damaged or infected dental pulp to give your tooth a second chance. Once removed, it will be replaced by a filling material and topped off with a dental crown or filling, leaving you with a functional and long-lasting tooth.
What Damages the Dental Pulp?
Some of the main factors that cause damage to the dental pulp include:
- Severe tooth decay that extends to the core of your tooth.
- Injury or trauma to the tooth arising from an accident or fall.
- Cracks that extend all the way to the dental pulp.
- Neglected gum disease.
The Root Canal Treatment Process at Port Melbourne Dental
Root canal treatment involves removing and replacing the infected dental pulp. Here’s what this straightforward process looks like at PMD Dental:
- We will begin by numbing the area with a local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during the treatment.
- Then, our dentist will place a rubber sheet, called a rubber dam, over the infected tooth, which will act as a protective barrier to prevent contamination.
- A small opening will then be made on the surface of the infected tooth to remove the dental pulp, after which we will clean the canals and disinfect them.
- Once we’ve cleaned out the infected pulp and disinfected the area, it will be filled with a root filling using a material called gutta-percha. This filling will then be sealed to prevent bacteria from re-entering the space.
- Finally, a custom dental crown or a filling will be placed over your tooth to provide an extra layer of protection to your tooth that’s now brittle and delicate because the amount of nutrients reaching it is limited without the pulp.
What are the Benefits of a Root Canal?
- Preserves your natural teeth.
- Improves oral health by preventing the spread of infection.
- Reduces dental pain.
- Restores lost functionality, making eating and chewing easier again.
- Prevents jawbone deterioration caused by the infection.
- Cost-effective than tooth replacement solutions.
- Minimal recovery time.
A root canal treatment is not just about saving a tooth. It’s about preserving your smile, restoring functionality and improving your oral health. So, if a damaged or infected tooth is causing you pain, you can always reach out to our experienced dentists at PMD Dental to preserve your natural tooth with a root canal treatment.