Root Canal Treatment in Dunedin
At Bell Hill Dental in Dunedin, Otago, we make providing safer and gentler dental treatments our guiding concern. We understand that your reaction to a root canal procedure could be concerning. Regardless of its negative reputation, root canal treatment is a common procedure that enables Dr Elaine Neill’s team to save your tooth from extraction. The pain associated with a root canal is actually from the infection that has overtaken your tooth, and not the procedure itself. In fact, root canal procedures are pain-relieving.
When We Recommend Endodontic Treatment
Understanding your tooth’s remarkable structure is essential when root canal therapy is recommended. Your tooth is like a tree; both have roots hidden from view and parts visible above the surface. The crown is what you see above the gums, while the part within your gums, anchoring your tooth in your jaw, is the root.
The root is a slender structure that also connects your inner tooth to your vascular system. Nerves and blood vessels run through the root of the tooth in a narrow channel called the canal to the inner portion, your tooth’s pulp. A layer of hard tooth enamel surrounds these parts to protect the tissues insides.
Damage to your tooth enamel can cause the spongy pulp tissue to become invaded by bacteria from your mouth. When your nerve is exposed to the bacteria, you will experience tooth pain and inflammation. This condition is a progressive threat to your tooth. At this point, Dr Neill will likely suggest endodontic treatment.
Some examples of tooth damage that might lead to a root canal are:
- A broken or fractured tooth
- One or several substantial cavities
- An abscess, which is a tooth infection
- Excessive tooth pain
- Blackened tooth
- Trauma to the face causing injury to the tooth (this may have even occurred years prior)
The Root Canal Treatment Process
Treatment for Root Canals in Dunedin
Root Canal Therapy in Dunedin, Otago 
