Nothing to Fear from Root Canal Surgery

Most people would rather be told they have leprosy than that they need a root canal treatment. This is unfortunate because this much maligned dental procedure, with modern anaesthetic technology, need not be painful at all. The cause of all this apprehension is usually a general lack of understanding of the actual procedure itself, and what it entails. Once it has been explained to dental patients, they relax and undergo the procedure in a much calmer frame of mind.

The Procedure Explained Briefly

A root canal treatment is only performed on a decayed or highly infected tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted. When the soft tissue inside the tooth becomes badly infected it must be removed to save the tooth. This includes the pulp and the nerves. The first step is the local anaesthetic, after which a drill is used to access the interior of the tooth. At Michael Frey Dental this procedure is performed regularly, using a Global surgical microscope.

Within each root of the tooth are hollow nerve canals containing the pulp and the nerve. The dental practitioner uses a series of fine drill heads and long, thin files to remove all traces of the pulp and nerve from each of the root canals. At the same time, the walls are cleaned to ensure there is no residue that can cause infection. In fact, medication is often placed into the canals to prevent this from happening.

The final step is to fill the canals with a synthetic substance called gutta-percha then the drill hole is filled in and sealed off. If the tooth has sustained considerable damage prior to the root canal, a cap or crown may be necessary to further strengthen the tooth. A professionally performed root canal will prevent any infections from spreading from the tooth to the gums and the rest of the mouth. This is one of the main objectives of the procedure.

No Special Pain Medication Required

The patient may experience discomfort and sensitivity in the area for several days after the procedure is completed. This is perfectly normal and is usually able to be controlled by over-the-counter pain medication. At Michael Frey Dental antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent any further infection. Dr Michael also advises his patients to continue with their normal oral hygiene routine in the days following the procedure.

Dr Michael is an experienced dentist who is fully qualified to perform endodontic procedures. This is very convenient for his patients needing root canal surgery who might otherwise have had to travel outside the area to be treated by a specialist. Once the treated tooth and general area are fully recovered, other dental procedures such as teeth whitening Bundaberg can be performed for patients whose teeth have become discoloured by food and drink stains.

By having root canal surgery to save a tooth or teeth that otherwise may have been lost, other cosmetic procedures can be used to improve the overall appearance. Modern techniques have taken the pain and fear out of dentistry and allows patients to have greater control over their dental health. Take a look at www.michaelfreydental.com.au to see what other services can be accessed.

http://www.michaelfreydental.com.au