Endodontics (Root canal treatment)

Root canal treatments have become more and more widely used as an alternative to tooth extraction. At Planet dental we are aware of the two sides of the root canal argument, the for and the against…

One view is that the bacteria and toxins pose a threat to a patient’s health and that the biological issue of having a dead tooth in our system has implications for a person’s health.  We know that our dental system is linked to our whole body.  We cannot say that the tooth will be 100% sterile and we cannot say the tooth will be 100% filled and sealed…

The other view is that if a root canal treatment is done well with excellent dental standards and the patient is in good health, then any exposure that a patient has to bacteria and their toxins is minimal and adequately dealt with by the body’s immune system.

“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth.

To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, which is under the white outer ‘enamel’ and an underlying layer called ‘dentin’, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.  It can be referred to as the ‘healthy living’ part of our tooth.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp.  The tooth will undergo some changes if the pulp dies and then needs to be removed i.e cleaned out by a dentist.

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay (bacteria), repeated trauma on the tooth (stressing the tooth), or a deep crack in the tooth. In addition, repeated dental procedures to a tooth may cause pulp damage by again putting the pulp under stress. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

Signs of possible pulp issues include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discolouration of the tooth, and swelling in nearby bone and gum tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms due to the pulpal tissue already becoming non-vital (dead or necrotic).

The dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will have to place a restoration, or possibly even a crown on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After the final restoration, the tooth can continue to function like any other tooth.

We offer this service to patients but fully inform any patient beforehand of any potential side effects. Treatment is decided on a case to case basis where a patient’s current health and immune status is considered.  

If Dr Gavin and his team feel there are substantial complications to carrying out such a treatment, they will discuss the possibility of a specialist referral to an Endodontist or, in some cases, tooth extraction.

Materials are as biocompatible as possible using the most up to date materials available.  We are currently in the process of obtaining an ozone machine.  Update when we have it!!!