Infected Teeth

Problems like decay, tooth wear, trauma and gum disease can result in the nerve inside a tooth to die and in turn an infection at the tip of the root of the tooth to occur. Occasionally, short-term symptoms can be managed with antibiotics, however definitive resolution of the infection can only be achieved with tooth removal or root canal treatment.

Root Canal Treatment
Despite common misconceptions this treatment is painless for an overwhelming majority of patients. This involves drilling into the tooth and cleaning out the dead nerve with small instruments and irrigating solutions. Following this rubber fillings are placed in the space that the nerve used to occupy, followed by a normal dental filling above this. For posterior teeth a crown is usually indicated afterwards as the tooth will be more brittle and prone to breakage.

Success rates for root canal treatment undertaken by a specialist are good, at around 80%. Should the root canal treatment be unsuccessful then consideration is usually given to the options of redoing the root canal treatment, extraction of the tooth or a small surgery under local anaesthesia to remove the tips of the roots.