Why do teeth become infected?

Each tooth has a system of blood vessels and nerves inside it called the pulp. The pulp extends from the crown (visible portion of tooth) to the tip of the root. If the tooth is badly damaged, bacteria enter the pulp causing the tissue to become inflamed or infected.

The tooth may become infected if there is:

  • a breakdown of a filling or crown
  • Physical trauma to the tooth (such as from an injury)
  • a deep cavity
  • gum disease
  • a crack or chip
  • extreme wear
  • extensive dental work to the tooth

If a tooth is badly damaged the pulp tissue inside becomes infected.

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Why do teeth become infected

Root canal treatment

The aim of root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment) is to save a tooth that has become infected. Root canal treatment is necessary when the nerve and tissues of the root inside your tooth die due to:

  • Bacterial Infection (Such as from A Cavity)
  • Physical trauma to the tooth (such as from an injury)

Root canal treatment is the process of removing the infected tissue within the tooth, carefully cleaning and disinfecting the canals and then filling and sealing the hollow space where the pulp tissue was. Once the root canal treatment is complete, the tooth is restored with a white filling. Following root canal treatment, your tooth may become weaker as it no longer has a blood supply. This is especially true for back teeth and teeth that are missing a lot of tooth structure. In these cases, a crown is usually recommended to strengthen the tooth and enhance the long-term success of your treatment.

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What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal is an effective treatment utilised to restore the functionality of your teeth and restore their performative properties. At Greenland Dental, our root canal treatment consists of the following:

Procedure:

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An X-ray will be taken to find the root canal shape and determine whether an infection has occurred in the bone surrounding the tooth

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Our dentist will use an anaesthetic to numb the area around the tooth.

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An access will be made in the tooth to remove the infected pulp.

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Tooth canals will be shaped, cleaned, and disinfected.

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The access will be filled, and the strength of your tooth will be restored.

During Root Canal Treatment

This procedure may take more than one dental visit, depending on the complexity of your case. Our team will sit down with you for a one-on-one consultation session to ensure you are fully prepared for your procedure and understand how it will work. During this time, we will answer any questions you may have about the root canal treatment, including the process, recovery, and benefits. For more information on how your root canal treatment may look, contact our team today.

infected tooth

Why save an infected tooth?

Once a tooth becomes infected, generally the two treatment options you’ll have will be to save it by completing a root canal treatment or have the tooth removed. Most people prefer to save their teeth as your own tooth is usually stronger and more efficient for biting and chewing than any artificial replacement.

Can all infected teeth be saved?

Unfortunately, not all teeth can be restored. Your dentist will not complete a root canal treatment unless the treatment has a high chance of success. For complex cases, your dentist may recommend a root canal specialist referral to ensure you get the best result for your tooth. Root canal treatment may not be appropriate in some cases, and extraction may be the best or only option.

To improve the chances of success, root canal treatment should be started and finished as soon as possible. If the pulp of the tooth is not treated quickly, severe pain and an abscess can occur. If an abscess is left untreated, infection can damage the bone surrounding the root.

Benefits Of Root Canal Treatment?

The main advantage of a root canal treatment is saving your original tooth from further complications, but there are also many other benefits to this procedure, including:

Don’t let unnecessary tooth pain stop you from completing normal daily activities. You can fight back against unhealthy teeth by utilising the expertise of the professional team at Greenland Dental. We’ve spent years mastering the art of dental restoration and understand how to utilise root canal treatments to transform the strength and functionality of infected teeth.

Root Canal Cost

Root Canal Cost

At Greenland Dental, we believe everyone should have access to premium dental care for an affordable price. We aim to keep our prices as low as possible to ensure root canal treatments are accessible when needed most. The price of most dental treatments is based on various factors, including oral health history, the severity of your individual case, and any other dental procedures that need to be completed in addition to the treatment. Therefore, there is no fixed root canal cost as the final price will vary.

The average cost of a root canal treatment ranges between $1000- $2500. However, this price refers to a root canal treatment without the addition of a crown. If a dental crown is needed to restore your oral health functionality, the price may be higher. For more information on root canal costs at Greenland Dental, please contact our team today.

What to expect after root canal treatment

  • The anaesthetic will usually last for a few hours, so take care not to chew your lip, tongue or cheek while you are still numb
  • The gum tissue can become irritated during your procedure and may be sore for a few days
  • Some patients may continue to experience pain around the tooth, or the tooth may feel slightly different to the other teeth both during and after treatment. If the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days, please give us a call
  • If your bite feels uneven after the anaesthetic wears off, please call us to arrange an appointment to have it assessed and adjusted if required
  • During the procedure the root canals are filled and the pulp chamber is sealed, however the tooth can still decay. To prevent decay and gum disease from occurring it’s important that you maintain good daily oral hygiene
  • In some cases, a root canal treated tooth may become darker in colour. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your tooth, talk to your dentist to discuss cosmetic options such as internal bleaching or a crown
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Leaving A Root Canal Untreated

Leaving A Root Canal Untreated

Never leave an infected root canal untreated. If the issue isn’t dealt with properly, the bacteria from the infection can spread (via the tooth’s roots) directly into the tissue surrounding the jaw and gums. This can result in many dental and health complications such as a dental abscess, loss of a tooth, inflammation of the mouth or infection spread to the body. Additionally, it can trigger more dangerous problems, such as heart disease. A root canal treatment from Greenland Dental ensures you get the professional help you need to achieve optimal oral health.

Why Choose Us?

At Greenland Dental, our team are constantly expanding their skills and utilising the latest concepts in modern dentistry to build on the expertise and knowledge our practice is built on. Our aim, always, is to deliver the highest-quality dental care to our patients and provide the most comprehensive dental care procedures to all ages, including root canal treatments. With access to the most innovative technologies, our dentists in our clinic in Caboolture will work with you to diagnose and address your dental health concerns.

We believe there are a range of reasons for you to choose Greenland Dental as your go-to dental clinic, especially for more specialised procedures such as root canal treatments, including:

  • Affordable dental care for all
  • Tailored patient plans to fit your dental health needs
  • Detailed and transformative services
  • A safe and comforting dental clinic environment
  • A team of friendly, experienced dentists readily available to help

To find out more about why you should choose Greenland Dental for your next root canal treatment, get in touch with us today.

Ask a Question or Book an Appointment

Send us an enquiry using the form below and our reception team will be in touch during our opening hours. If your enquiry is urgent, please call (07) 5495 4266 so we can assist you.

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What Our Client Says

Patient Reviews

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Had my front teeth fixed at Greenland dental, best experience, Dr Catherine was very gentle, did not feel any pain at all. Her assistant Caitlyn was very professional and reassuring. Now I can smile with confidence again!

Andrea Yew

Highly recommend!
Thankyou so much Dr Catherine Chow, forever greatful you took a chance on helping me when noone else would, including both private and public hospital.
I still can't believe you were able to pull this extraction off so quickly and complication free, truely a testament to your skills.

Chantelle Wardrop

I have just had my first appointment at Greenland Dental. WOW! What a great team. From the reception staff to treating staff, they were all such a pleasure.
Dr Catherine was very thorough, not only working on the tooth I was there to receive treatment on, but identifying some other problematic teeth and providing options for future treatment. I will definitely be returning for future procedures.

Crystal Pennell

Contact Our Dentists Today

For more information about our team and services at Greenland Dental, and our approach to conducting root canal treatments, contact us today via the website or call us on (07) 5495 4266.We pride ourselves in offering reliable and comprehensive dental services in Caboolture that will restore and repair a wide range of dental complications. Book an appointment with us today to transform your smile.