Preventive Dentistry
Digital Radiography / X-Rays
Restorative Dentistry / Fillings
Children's Dentistry
Endodontics / Root Canal Therapy
Orthodoontics / Braces
Cosmetic Dentistry
Surgery: Wisdom Teeth and Extractions
Emergency Procedures & Specialist Referral
Treatment of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and/or Radiation

Endodontics / Root Canal Therapy

Endodontics, or root canal, is the process of removing infected soft tissue running through the centre of the tooth. This is done to eliminate pain and save the tooth from extraction.

Once the tooth has been cleaned of its infected pulp tissue, the canal is filled with a soft rubber-material. This may require one or more appointments, as there may be several canals in a tooth. Between appointments a temporary filling is placed.

Following root canal therapy there may be some pain, although, more often than not, this pain is mild or non-existent.

Following root canal, it is advisable to place a crown (often called a cap) if there has been extensive damage to the tooth. Some teeth will go dark, and again, in these cases, a white cap is advisable.

The success rate for endodontics is very high, although a small number of cases will fail. These can be retreated, but in rare instances the tooth may have to be extracted. In the vast majority of cases, the tooth will give many more years of service.