Root Canal Treatment at Avenue Dental

What is a root canal?

A root canal involves removing the damaged or infected nerve from inside the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the canals, and sealing the space to help prevent further infection. Because the source of the problem — the infected nerve — is removed, the treatment also settles the pain that often comes with it, while keeping the structure of your tooth so you can keep chewing and speaking normally.

Why is a crown often recommended afterwards?

After a root canal, the tooth no longer has a living nerve, which over time can leave it more brittle and prone to cracking. That’s why a dental crown is often recommended afterwards — to protect the tooth and keep it functioning. A crown can:

• Strengthen the tooth and reduce the risk of it cracking.
• Restore the tooth’s natural shape and function.
• Give the tooth durable, long-term protection.

Without a crown, there’s a higher chance of the tooth cracking below the gumline, which can make it unrepairable and lead to it needing to be removed — so the crown is an important part of getting the most out of your root canal.

Why Might You Need A Root Canal?

A root canal is usually needed when the nerve inside a tooth becomes infected or damaged, and you want to save the tooth rather than have it removed. A few things can lead to that:

• Deep decay: When decay reaches the nerve inside the tooth, it can become infected.
• A crack or chip: Trauma to a tooth — a knock, a fall, or biting something hard — can expose or damage the nerve.
• Repeated work on the same tooth: A tooth that’s had a lot of treatment over the years can eventually become inflamed or infected.
• Infection or an abscess: Sometimes the first sign is pain, swelling, or an abscess, which means the nerve is already affected.

When the nerve is infected or dying, the tooth won’t heal on its own. A root canal is the treatment that lets you keep the tooth instead of losing it to an extraction — which is almost always better, since nothing replaces a natural tooth quite like the real thing.

Root Canal Risks

Root canal treatment is a well-established way to save a tooth, and many people find their pain settles once the infected nerve is removed. That said, outcomes vary from person to person, and no treatment can be guaranteed. As with any dental procedure, a root canal carries some risks — for example, in some cases infection can persist or recur, a tooth can become more brittle over time, or, occasionally, further treatment or removal may be needed down the track. How successful it’s likely to be depends on things like the position of the tooth, the extent of the infection, and your individual circumstances.

That’s exactly why we assess each tooth individually and talk you through what to expect for your situation before going ahead. Your dentist will explain the risks relevant to you, so you can make an informed decision. You can read more on our Treatment Risks page.