Root Canal Treatment in Taupō
Root canal treatments and treating tooth pain.
When decay or trauma reaches the nerve inside a tooth, root canal treatment removes the infection and saves the tooth rather than losing it.
Taupō's endodontics and root canal specialists
Inside every tooth is a chamber of soft tissue, the pulp, containing the nerve and blood supply. When decay works its way in, or an accident cracks the tooth, bacteria reach that chamber and the pulp becomes infected. That is what causes the deep, throbbing ache that keeps people awake.
Root canal treatment, or endodontics, clears the infection out of the tooth, disinfects the space and seals it. The tooth stays in your mouth and keeps doing its job. The alternative is usually extraction, and replacing a missing tooth costs more and asks more of the teeth around it.
Signs a tooth may need root canal treatment
- Severe or throbbing toothache, often worse lying down
- Lingering pain to hot or cold long after the source is removed
- Pain when biting on one particular tooth
- A tooth that has darkened compared with its neighbours
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near the tooth, or a recurring pimple on the gum
Pain that stops suddenly is not always good news. It can mean the nerve has died while the infection continues. It is still worth getting checked.
What happens during treatment
The tooth is numbed thoroughly, the infected pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped, and the space is sealed. Depending on the tooth this may take one or two appointments. Because the tooth becomes more brittle afterwards, a crown is often recommended to protect it from fracturing.
If you are in pain right now
Phone us on 07 378 9069 during business hours. Outside them, severe dental pain, facial swelling or an accident involving dental trauma is handled through the Taupō emergency roster. Call Taupō Hospital on 07 376 1000 for a referral to the dentist on call.
Root canal questions, answered
The questions we get asked most often about root canal treatment.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Please don't hesitate to reach out to
our team. We're here to help!
Is root canal treatment painful?
The reputation is worse than the reality. The tooth is thoroughly numbed, and for most people the treatment feels much like having a filling done. What hurts is the infection beforehand, and the treatment is what relieves it. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal.
How many appointments will I need?
Commonly one or two, depending on which tooth it is and how much infection is present. Back teeth have more canals and take longer than front teeth. We will tell you what to expect once we have taken a radiograph and examined the tooth.
Will I need a crown afterwards?
Usually, for back teeth. A tooth that has had root canal treatment loses its blood supply and becomes more brittle, so capping it protects against fracture. We will explain whether your particular tooth needs one and quote for it upfront.
What happens if I leave it untreated?
The infection does not resolve on its own. It spreads into the bone around the root, which can lead to an abscess, facial swelling and eventually loss of the tooth. Treating it early is almost always simpler and cheaper than treating it late.
Would it be cheaper to just pull the tooth?
On the day, yes. Over time, usually not. Once a tooth is gone the neighbouring teeth drift, the bite changes, and replacing it with a bridge or implant costs considerably more than saving it would have. We will lay out both options honestly and let you decide.
Does ACC cover it?
If the damage resulted from an accident, you may qualify for funded treatment through ACC. Phone us and our receptionist will talk you through lodging a claim. See our finance options for the other schemes we work with.
Request an appointment
In pain or think you may need treatment? Fill in your details below, or phone us on 07 378 9069.
New patients welcome
We look forward to caring for your smile!
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