Inside every tooth is a soft inner layer called the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. When decay, a crack, or repeated dental work lets bacteria reach that pulp, it can become infected, sometimes leading to a painful abscess. Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, cleans out the inside of the tooth, and seals it, allowing the tooth to stay in your mouth doing its job.
Without treatment, an infected tooth generally doesn’t resolve on its own, and the infection can spread to the surrounding bone or other teeth. Treatment starts with an examination and X-ray to confirm what’s going on, followed by local anaesthetic and removal of the infected pulp, before the canal is cleaned, shaped and sealed, with a crown or filling afterward to protect and restore the tooth’s strength.
A few reasons it’s worth treating rather than extracting an infected tooth.
Outcomes vary between individuals, and your dentist can explain what’s realistic for your specific case.
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Our dentists carry out root canal therapy in-house, start to finish.
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Local anaesthetic and a calm, unhurried manner throughout the procedure.
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Comfortable surroundings alongside up-to-date dental equipment.
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Easy to reach for patients across the wider Western Sydney area.
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Costs are explained clearly before treatment begins.
The procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn't feel pain during treatment, only some pressure. Many patients find it far more comfortable than the toothache that led them to book in the first place. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is common and manageable with simple pain relief.
Signs include lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting down, swelling, or a tooth that's darkened in colour. An X-ray and examination will confirm whether the pulp is infected and whether root canal therapy is the right option for your case.
An infected tooth generally won't heal on its own, and the infection can progress to an abscess or spread to the surrounding bone. In many cases, the tooth eventually needs to be extracted if the infection isn't addressed.
This depends on the tooth and the extent of the infection, but many cases are completed in one or two visits, with a further appointment for a crown or filling to restore the tooth afterward.
Often, yes, particularly for back teeth that take a lot of biting pressure. A crown protects the tooth from cracking after the procedure, though some teeth can be restored with a filling depending on how much natural structure remains.
Western Sydney Smiles supports patients from across St Marys and the wider Western Sydney community. If a tooth’s been causing ongoing pain, a proper assessment is the clearest way to find out what’s actually going on.
