Willow Dental Care

A Great Dentist

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(02) 8610 6697

General and Aesthetic Dentistry

B4/12-14 Solent Circuit, Norwest, NSW 2153

Willow Dental Care > Our Services > Root Canal Treatment

At Willow Dental Care, we provide gentle root canal treatment in a comfortable, welcoming environment.

Root Canal Treatment

As Norwest Dentists, our patients have told us that even the term root canal treatment has them anxious; however, we can reassure you that it's an important procedure because it can save your tooth. It's true; some teeth are better off not being saved. That's where you need informed advice and simple explanations from Willow Dental Care.

We invite you to book an appointment to discuss your situation with a dentist.

Why Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?

Inside your tooth is a chamber that contains the nerves and blood vessels that give a tooth its feeling. When bacteria invade the chamber, the nerve and blood vessels become irritated and inflamed. The bacteria can enter because of decay, a deep filling or a crack in the tooth. It can also occur in the short or long term after a blow or trauma to the tooth.

Once the number of bacteria reaches a high enough level, the nerve will become so irritated that it will start to die. This may happen slowly and quietly or with moderate or severe pain. Once this happens, the only options to prevent pain and serious infection are to extract the tooth or to perform root canal therapy.

Are you experiencing a toothache in Norwest, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill or Kellyville? We welcome your call for an appointment.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment in Norwest, NSW

When a tooth becomes severely decayed or infected, many people worry that extraction is the only option. Thankfully, root canal therapy offers a safe, effective way to save your natural tooth, relieve pain and restore function. It’s a common and straightforward procedure that can preserve your smile for years to come.

Relieves Pain and Infection

One of the main benefits of a root canal is immediate relief from the intense pain caused by infection or inflammation in the tooth’s pulp. Once we remove the damaged tissue and the area is clean and sealed, you may feel a significant reduction in discomfort, often right after treatment.

Preserves Your Natural Tooth

Keeping your natural tooth helps maintain your bite, chewing ability, speech and jaw alignment. A root canal treatment allows you to avoid the complications that can arise from tooth loss, like shifting teeth or the need for more complex replacements like tooth implants or dental bridges.

Restores Function and Appearance

After a root canal, the tooth is typically finished with a custom dental crown that we match to your tooth's shape, colour and precise fit. The crown strengthens the tooth and restores its appearance. You'll be able to speak, chew and smile without anyone noticing you had dental work done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a root canal painful?

Root canal treatment has a scary reputation, but in reality, it's a straightforward, pain-relieving procedure that often saves natural teeth. Thanks to modern dental techniques and effective local anaesthesia, most patients report that having a root canal feels no more uncomfortable than getting a dental filling.

You may need a root canal if the soft tissue inside your tooth (pulp) becomes infected due to decay, trauma or a deep crack. Signs can include a persistent toothache, swelling, sensitivity to hot and cold or pain when biting. If left untreated, the infection can worsen and even lead to tooth loss.

During the procedure, the dentist will gently remove the damaged pulp, clean out the canals and seal the tooth to prevent further infection. In most cases, we place a custom dental crown to restore strength and function.

After your root canal, you might feel some mild soreness, but this typically fades within a day or two and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Gentle Root Canal in Norwest, NSW

A root canal doesn’t just stop the pain; it helps preserve your natural smile for years to come. If you’re nervous, we invite you to speak with your Norwest dentist. We're here to help you feel comfortable and at ease!

Root Canal Treatment vs Extraction

When you attend your appointment at our Norwest dental practice, we will discuss your options with you and recommend the appropriate course of action. There is no need to be concerned if root canal therapy is indicated, as we have helped many patients remain comfortable while saving the tooth. There are many advantages our patients enjoy by keeping the tooth:

Enjoying the ability to chew food
Avoiding an unsightly gap
Keeping the other teeth next to this one safe from movement and being overloaded to compensate for the missing one

An analogy we can use when a tooth is extracted unnecessarily is that of removing a book from a bookcase; the books on either side or above may collapse into the space.

Root Canal Treatment in Norwest, NSW

Once you decide to proceed with root canal treatment, we can get started at Willow Dental Care. Occasionally, if your tooth is particularly complex, we may refer you to a local specialist endodontist.

The process usually requires two to three appointments. After we have sufficiently numbed the area, a small opening is made in the tooth to access the chamber. Next, the dentist removes the infected nerve and disinfects the inside of the tooth. Then, the dentist places a medication in the tooth that will help settle the pain and infection. Finally, the dentist places a temporary filling to keep you comfortable and the tooth sealed.

At the next appointment, the root canals are widened and cleaned further to ensure all bacteria and infected material are removed. Once we've completed that step, we can fill the canals with a rubbery material called 'gutta-percha' and seal the tooth with a dental crown or other restoration.

OUR TEAM

Why Have I Been Told I Need a Crown After Root Canal Treatment?

Usually, a tooth that requires root canal treatment has had a large cavity or filling, leaving the tooth weak. The loss of the blood supply makes the tooth more brittle, and the loss of the nerve may mean you might unknowingly bite harder on this tooth.

As a result, the tooth is at risk of fracture. This could result in a catastrophic fracture of the tooth requiring extraction, or it may mean that the tooth or filling is cracked, causing leaks into the root canal. In some cases, bacteria can then penetrate through the roots again, causing the root canal treatment to fail.

Studies have shown that root-filled teeth without crowns are six times likely to be extracted in the future than crowned teeth. The survival rate of root-filled molar teeth without crowns is only 36% at five years. We invite you to talk to us about how we can keep your tooth stable until you can have a crown.

We Welcome Your Call

If you have had a root canal treatment but just never got around to placing the crown, we invite you to reach out to our friendly team for assistance. We welcome patients from Norwest, Bella Vista, Baulkham Hills, Glenwood, Kellyville, Castle Hill, Glenhaven and beyond.

Root Canal Treatment Technology

Digital X-Rays and OPG at Willow Dental Care

Here at Willow Dental Care in Norwest, we are always considering your health, safety and risk versus benefit. These days the benefits of x-rays well outweigh the risks. When needed, X-rays may be used to detect decay between the teeth, infections in the bone, assess for missing teeth prior to orthodontics, or check for wisdom teeth positioning. We will suggest x-rays according to your individual needs. If you are concerned, please raise it with your dentist.

Digital x-rays produce much less radiation than the old film-style ones and are better focused, not scattering the radiation like they did 20 years ago. Did you know that having a digital dental x-ray is about the same radiation we get on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne?

Convenient and Immediate X-rays in Baulkham Hills

We understand how hectic life is, so we are also pleased to offer the convenience of OPG x-ray services on-site in Baulkham Hills. OPG stands for orthopantomogram and is a panoramic scan of both upper and lower jaws and helpful to see the number, location and direction of teeth and the jawbones. For concerned Hills District patients, an OPG will answer the question of wisdom teeth coming through and check if they are impacted. A full jaw x-ray can be done right here, saving you the hassle of an extra trip to a Hills District radiology lab. Our machine is the award-winning Kavo OP3D, quality made in Finland.