Root Canal Treatment in Melrose, Johannesburg
Root canal treatment, or endodontic therapy, removes infected pulp from inside a tooth, saving the tooth while eliminating pain and infection. At Melrose Dental Studio, Dr Edwin Alberts uses advanced techniques and equipment to ensure the best outcomes with minimal discomfort.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is an essential procedure in dental care that aims to save teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted. At Melrose Dental Studio in Melrose, Johannesburg, we specialise in root canal therapy, using advanced techniques and equipment to ensure the best outcomes with minimal discomfort.
The pulp inside your tooth has nerves and blood vessels, and it can become infected through deep decay, recurrent dental procedures, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes that infected pulp, helping to save the tooth while eliminating pain and infection.
You'll find us on Level 1 of the Medical Wing at Blubird Shopping Centre, minutes from Melrose Arch, Rosebank and Sandton.
How Do I Know I Might Need a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is advised when the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected or inflamed. Severe decay, cracks, chips or injuries to the tooth can cause this. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the affected tooth
- Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
- Tenderness to touch and chewing
- Discolouration of the tooth
- Swelling in nearby gums
If any of these sound familiar, don't wait for it to get worse. Call us on 011 440 7836, and if you're in severe pain right now, our emergency dentistry team is ready to help, or WhatsApp our emergency line on 082 966 2803.
What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?
Your treatment follows five careful steps, from numbing the area to restoring the tooth to full function.
The area around the tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia to guarantee comfort throughout the procedure.
The infected or inflamed pulp is removed by making a small opening in the tooth's crown.
After removing the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for filling.
The cleaned and shaped canal is filled with a biocompatible substance, typically a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. Afterwards, the opening is sealed with a temporary filling.
How Do I Look After My Tooth Afterwards?
After a root canal treatment, it's important to protect the newly treated tooth, especially while your permanent restoration is being prepared. Keep these dietary tips in mind:
- Avoid hard foods: keep away from hard foods like nuts and candies that could fracture the tooth
- Chew on the opposite side: while the permanent restoration is being prepared, it's advisable to chew food on the opposite side of your mouth
- Avoid sticky foods: foods like chewing gum and caramel may dislodge temporary fillings
- Eat soft foods: soft foods like yoghurt, eggs and soft fruits are ideal as they require minimal chewing
Will My Root Canal Hurt?
Comfort comes first at Melrose Dental Studio. The area around your tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia before treatment begins, and we use advanced techniques and equipment to ensure the best outcomes with minimal discomfort. Remember, root canal treatment is a great way to save a tooth and reduce pain, not add to it.
Dr Edwin Alberts will explain each step before he starts, answer your questions and make sure you feel at ease throughout your visit to our Melrose practice.