Root Canal Therapy is a dental treatment which aims to save the "dead" or infected tooth in order to make it pain free and functional. This is usually done over a number of visits. Root canal therapy is not always a painful experience as some may believe, Once local anaesthetic is given, the procedure is mostly pain free. Occasionally there may be some minor pain or tenderness after the treatment, this may be relieved by taking some analgesics.
","linkList":[]},"dataItem-jf84aqyw":{"type":"Image","id":"dataItem-jf84aqyw","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"2.0","isHidden":false},"title":"","uri":"273f45_bb118d66d7de466a839265a4750cc090~mv2.jpg","description":"","width":134,"height":147,"alt":"root canal therapy"},"dataItem-jf84aqzc":{"type":"Image","id":"dataItem-jf84aqzc","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"2.0","isHidden":false},"title":"","uri":"273f45_dd9b8e3710fc4ed993f59a5d51f1226e~mv2.jpg","description":"","width":134,"height":147,"alt":"Root canal therapy"},"dataItem-jf84aqzq":{"type":"Image","id":"dataItem-jf84aqzq","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"2.0","isHidden":false},"title":"","uri":"273f45_bfa6a45b541a4bfb8f623118328a02a2~mv2.gif","description":"","width":134,"height":147,"alt":"Root canal therapy completed"},"dataItem-jf84cbc4":{"type":"StyledText","id":"dataItem-jf84cbc4","metaData":{"isPreset":false,"schemaVersion":"1.0","isHidden":false},"text":"What does Root Canal Therapy involve?
\n\nThe infected pulp is removed through an opening in the tooth
\n\tFollowing this, the root canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped so that the canals can later be filled.
\n\tIn between visits, some medications are used to help to kill the bacteria inside the canals and a temporary filling is placed to cover the opening .
\n\tSeveral X-rays may also be taken to determine the lengths and apices of the tooth canals
\n\tThe tooth canals will then be filled with some rubber material, usually Gutta percha. This seal will help to prevent bacteria from re-infect the canals.
\n\tThe final step involves restoring the tooth. Most of the time, a crown (cap) will be required to protect the tooth for long term, especially for back teeth (premolars and molars)
\n\tWhat causes the tooth to die or be infected?
\n\ndeep or aggressive tooth decay which reach down to the pulp (dental nerve area)
\n\tdeep fillings
\n\tfacial injury or trauma (e.g. blow to a tooth or jaw)
\n\tCracks with the tooth
\n\t
\n\nCan all teeth be saved with root canal therapy?
\n\nNot all teeth but the majority can be saved. Teeth with vertical root fracture for example have a poor prognosis to treatment.
\n\tA few may not respond well even after treatment and may require further treatments or referral to specialists (endodontists).
\n\t
\n\nHow long does the tooth last after root canal treatment?
\n\nThe material used to seal the root canals may last for a lifetime. A crown is usually recommended and imperative especially for posterior teeth after root canal therapy as the tooth tends to become more brittle and more likely to fracture. However regular dental check-ups and home care are also very important.
\n\t