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Root canal treatment is needed when the nerve in your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The cause of this condition is usually a deep cavity or deep filling. Sometimes it can be due to trauma (accidents) or cracks in teeth (from wear and tear). The most common manifestation is pain, sometimes with swelling, change in tooth color, or it may be picked up on a routine dental xray.
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Root canal treatment involves cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth and root space. The inflamed and infected tissue inside the tooth is removed with instruments and irrigants and the clean space that remains is filled with a rubber-like material called Gutta Percha.
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Thereafter the tooth will be sealed with a permanent filling or a crown. This is to protect the remaining tooth structure.
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Unfortunately root canal treatment has had a very bad reputation in the past.
However with the advent of modern anaesthetics and equipment I can confidently say that root canal treatment nowadays is no worse than having a simple filling placed on a tooth.
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Patients undergoing the treatment have a choice of watching a movie on our ceiling mounted TV or listening to music.
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About half the time patients actually fall asleep.
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I believe that extraction is the last resort.
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Root canal treatment saves the natural tooth with the aim of restoring efficient chewing with a normal bite force and sensation. A tooth that has had a good root canal treatment should last as long as a natural tooth.
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In situations where there is great fear and apprehension, root canal treatment can be performed in the clinic under the care and supervision of a Consultant Anaesthesiologist.
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This ensures no discomfort or bad memories after the treatment.
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