At Sundial Dental, we are committed to saving your natural teeth whenever possible.

While the phrase “root canal” often makes patients nervous, the reality is that this procedure is a pain-relieving treatment, not a pain-causing one. Available across our Mid North Coast clinics, root canal therapy is a highly effective way to repair a severely infected tooth and avoid the need for extraction.

Saving Your Natural Tooth

Deep inside every tooth is a chamber containing the “pulp”—a collection of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. These tiny passageways extend vertically down to the tip of the root. When a tooth is cracked or has deep decay, bacteria can enter this chamber, causing the pulp to become infected or inflamed. If left untreated, this can lead to an abscess, severe pain, and eventually the loss of the tooth. Root canal treatment involves removing this infected tissue to halt the spread of infection while keeping the exterior structure of the tooth intact.

The Treatment Process

Modern root canal therapy is virtually painless, often feeling no different to having a standard filling placed. The treatment typically takes between one and three visits, depending on the complexity of the infection:

  1. Comfort First: We ensure the area is completely numb using local anaesthetic.
  2. Access: A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the inner chamber.
  3. Cleaning: The infected or inflamed pulp is carefully removed. The inner canals are cleaned, disinfected, and reshaped using precision instruments.
  4. Filling: The clean canals are filled with a biocompatible, rubber-like material to seal them and prevent future infection.
  5. Restoration: Because the tooth has been hollowed out, it can become brittle. In most cases, we will place a Crown (using our same-day CEREC technology where possible) to restore the tooth’s full strength and appearance.

Symptoms of a Root Infection

You may require root canal therapy if you are experiencing:

  • Severe toothache when chewing or applying pressure.
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, even after the source is removed.
  • Discolouration (darkening) of the tooth.
  • Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums.
  • A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums (an abscess).

The Benefits of Treatment

There is no substitute for your natural tooth. Saving it with root canal therapy allows you to maintain your natural bite, efficient chewing, and normal sensation. It is a cost-effective alternative to extraction and replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge.