• Free Call 02 9344 8822
  • Address

    Maroubra Clinic

    Maroubra Dental Clinic

    Office 1, 822 Anzac Parade
    Maroubra, NSW, 2035

    Parramatta Clinic

    Parramatta Dental Clinic

    The Hall, 356 Church Street
    (Corner of Church and Palmer St)
    Parramatta, NSW, 2150

  • Opening Hours
    • Mon to Thurs - 8am – 6pm
    • Fri 8am – 5pm
    • Sat 8am – 1pm
    • Sunday Closed

Dentist Journal

Everything You Need to Know About Root Canals

Just the phrase root canal is enough to strike fear into the hearts of people everywhere. This is why we thought we’d put this piece together to clear the air a little – let you know what a root canal is and why you don’t need to recoil in fear if your dentist says it to you.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a procedure that is designed to clean up an acutely infected tooth. The tooth may have somehow become infected by bacteria creeping into it, or because of a cavity that’s been left too long to its own devices. A dentist will need to scrape out all the infected pulp of the tooth with the aim of saving it, but sometimes you will lose a tooth in the process.

What’s the procedure like?

You will have a local anaesthetic applied to the area with a needle to numb it. This needle itself may hurt a bit. There are relaxants that you can take the needle with to help you to feel more comfortable. The dentist will then go in through the top of the tooth and use small dentistry tools to help clear away the infected inner, and then wash it clean. This hollowed out inner is then filled with a substance to make it intact again. The top of the tooth will need to be sealed off again with a crown.

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Does it hurt?

When the local anaesthetic is applied correctly, you will be able to feel a slight pressure in the tooth, but you shouldn’t feel pain. Taking a recommended relaxant before the procedure will help to counter the pain of the needle that administers the anaesthetic.

What about afterwards?

After your root canal, you need to be vigilant about your oral health, including brushing twice a day and flossing once. Staying away from sugary foods and ensuring you clean your teeth when they feel dirty is essential. You’ll need to make regular check-ups at the dentist a priority – those who have had a root canal before are more at risk of having another root canal in the future, which you want to avoid as much as possible.

Dental Avenue in Maroubra can help guide you through your root canal procedure with the least amount of apprehension. Book in for an appointment with one of our experienced dentists to talk about your dental needs. We can help craft a plan that will have your teeth back in great shape again in no time at all.