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Extractions and Root Canal Treatment
Gentle Dentistry When You Need it Most

We offer gentle dental extractions and root canal therapy in Coffs Harbour. Don't suffer from painful symptoms; give us a call.

Extractions and Root Canal Treatment in Coffs Harbour

Extractions and Root Canal Treatment in Coffs Harbour

root canal treatment coffs harbour, NSWWe offer gentle extractions and root canal treatment in Coffs Harbour.

If you have ever experienced a toothache, you know how the pain can make it difficult to eat, sleep and concentrate. A mildly sensitive tooth can become excruciatingly painful with little notice as well.

When a tooth hurts, it is an unmistakable signal that something is wrong. Since toothaches rarely improve without proper treatment, contacting our Coffs Harbour dental clinic as soon as pain develops will allow us to treat the problem, so you feel comfortable again.

Your dentist in Coffs Harbour strives to treat dental emergencies on the same day, so if you have a toothache or dental emergency, we welcome your call.

  • Will I need a tooth extraction in Coffs Harbour?
  • What are the signs I need a root canal?
  • Is a root infection a dental emergency?
  • What happens during root canal therapy in Coffs Harbour?
  • What should I expect at my appointment?
  • How can I prevent these problems from recurring?

Root Canal Treatment or Tooth Extraction?

The dentist evaluates all options when determining the best treatment for your toothache and infection. With root infection, we typically recommend root canal therapy in Coffs Harbour. However, if the tooth cannot be saved, we'll discuss extraction followed by tooth replacement. Below, we explain the key differences.
The End Goal
A root canal treatment saves your tooth, while an extraction removes it. If you opt for the latter, consider tooth replacement to keep your smile and oral health intact.
The Outcome
A root canal treatment requires a tooth crown or similar restoration, while an extraction means tooth replacement, such as a dental implant, dental bridge or partial denture.
The Procedure
A root canal treatment typically requires two appointments. Tooth replacement treatment may require two or more appointments, depending on your specific case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tooth extraction can conjure fear in some people, but today’s technologies—coupled with easy tooth replacement options—make having a tooth pulled easier than ever.

Reasons for a Tooth Extraction

Your dentist in Coffs Harbour may recommend extraction for a variety of reasons. In some cases, when decay or trauma to a tooth is severe, patients opt for an extraction over heroics to save the tooth as well.

Reasons you may need a tooth extraction include:

  • Severe decay or trauma
  • Problematic wisdom teeth
  • Before orthodontics like traditional or clear braces
  • Before dentures

Severe decay may result from a lack of professional dental care. To avoid this, we recommend visiting our Coffs Harbour dental clinic regularly for exams and cleans. In some cases, you can prevent trauma with proper mouthguards during sporting activities. Your dentist can help you with tooth replacement options.

Wisdom teeth come in years after adult teeth, and they may not have enough room to erupt properly. Rather than risk pain or infection, your dentist may recommend extraction of your wisdom teeth.

If your jaw is too small to accommodate your teeth, your dentist may recommend an extraction, especially before orthodontics. This helps your teeth move into straighter positions across your therapy timeline.

If you have significant tooth loss and your remaining teeth are not healthy enough to support a partial denture, your dentist may suggest full extraction and full dentures.

Tooth Extractions in Coffs Harbourn, NSW

For tooth extractions in Coffs Harbour, we welcome your call.

Understanding when and why specific dental procedures are necessary is crucial. This is the best way to ensure that you seek vital care as promptly as possible to restore and preserve your bite and smile's form, function and aesthetics.

To this end, we’re looking at the symptoms and conditions that may necessitate a root canal.

Why Is a Root Canal Necessary?

A variety of factors can bring about the need for a root canal. The most common include:

  • Severe tooth decay  When tooth decay is left untreated and extends into the tooth’s internal pulp, removing the infected tissue via root canal therapy relieves the pain of infection and inflammation and can help save the natural tooth’s structure.
  • Impact or traumatic injury  A direct blow to a tooth can cause breakage or damage to the pulp. Root canal therapy can relieve inflammation or infection in these cases and help salvage the tooth.
  • Wear from repeated dental work  Repeated exposure to dental procedures like fillings or crown placements can compromise a tooth’s pulp over time, necessitating a root canal.

Root Canal Therapy in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

If you’re looking for a dentist in Coffs Harbour, NSW, with experience and expertise in guiding patients of all ages through the root canal process, from diagnosis to aftercare, contact me, Dr Justin Ward, BDSc, MClinDENT, and our friendly and helpful team at Arthur Street Dental to arrange a consultation.

If you have a root infection, root canal therapy is the ideal treatment. The alternative is tooth extraction.

At Arthur Street Dental, we consider a root infection a dental emergency because the infection can spread to other teeth or even to other parts of the body, compromising your oral health and overall wellness.

Symptoms of a Root Canal

In some cases, root infection is found during your exam, and there are no symptoms. Other times, especially if the infection is advanced or the tooth nerve is vital, patients notice:

  • Toothache, sometimes severe
  • Jaw pain and swelling
  • Bump on the gum

If you have one or more signs of a root infection or other oral health changes that do not improve, we urge you to contact your emergency dentist in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

Root Canal Treatment Process

Under our care, you’ll discover a gentle root canal treatment designed to ease pain and restore your tooth to health. The first step is a diagnosis, and then your dentist numbs the area needing therapy. We gently extract the root and pulp from your tooth and close it with a healing agent and transitory filling. At a future appointment, your dentist provides a permanent filling or a dental crown.

Dental Emergency Appointments in Coffs Harbour, NSW

Don’t suffer through a dental emergency—including a painful root infection in Coffs Harbour—the team at Arthur Street Dental is here for you. Contact our dental clinic to make an appointment.

Will I need a tooth extraction in Coffs Harbour?

Dr Justin Ward will save natural teeth whenever possible, but sometimes a tooth will not respond well to any treatment and will continue to cause pain. Additionally, a badly decayed or infected tooth may compromise your health or your surrounding teeth. In these cases, removing the tooth is the best way to protect your overall wellness and restore your comfort.

Teeth may require extraction for several reasons:

  • Severe damage
  • Deep decay
  • Infection or abscess
  • Before orthodontics or dentures
  • Symptomatic wisdom teeth

A dental extraction before orthodontics may mean a better outcome. This step is sometimes necessary if your jaw cannot accommodate all of your teeth. This type of extraction does not take away from your smile. Orthodontics such as braces or invisible braces close the deliberate gap.

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, years after adult teeth. In some cases, they only partially erupt or encroach on your adult teeth. You do not need wisdom teeth to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile, so if wisdom teeth threaten the comfort of your teeth or open your gum partially to infection, your dentist in Coffs Harbour may recommend extraction.

Removing a tooth does not have to mean the end of a beautiful smile. At Arthur Street Dental, we provide our patients with many tooth-replacement options to choose from:

A comprehensive exam and consultation will allow you to discuss the process with Dr Ward. He can offer a wealth of information that will benefit you when making decisions about your smile.

  • Justin Ward BDSc, MClinDENT

    Dr Justin Ward is a General Dentist and Principal at Arthur Street Dental since 2009. Born in Queensland, Dr Ward spent his final education years in Brisbane, before moving to ...

    Read More
  • Eric Jun BDSc, MDent

    Dr Eric Jun is a passionate and caring dentist who graduated from Griffith University. With a year of experience in the field, Dr Jun recently joined our practice, bringing with ...

    Read More
  • Kellie Langdon

    Our hygienist, Kellie, is originally from the Tweed Coast and attended Newcastle University to earn her Bachelor of Oral Health degree.

    Kellie has 13 years of experience in dentistry. During this ...

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What are the signs I need a root canal?

You can get a toothache for a variety of reasons, including root infection. Also, some symptoms can mimic similar conditions, but your dentist in Coffs Harbour will diagnose your toothache and provide the right treatment.

Signs you may need root canal therapy in Coffs Harbour include:

  • A raised area or blister on your gum near the painful or sensitive tooth
  • A toothache that may worsen with hot or cold beverages or food
  • A swollen gum or face

If you notice a sensitive tooth that does not improve or worsens, we encourage you to contact your dentist in Coffs Harbour to schedule an exam before tooth sensitivity has the opportunity to turn into a painful toothache. Additionally, with timely treatment, you may lower your risk for needing a tooth extraction in Coffs Harbour.

Is a root infection a dental emergency?

Typically, a root infection is painful, which makes it a dental emergency. However, in the early stages, you may not have a full-blown toothache. Regardless, if your dentist in Coffs Harbour discovers a root infection upon exam, he will schedule you for root canal treatment sooner rather than later to increase the odds of keeping the tooth, and to prevent the pain of infection.

In our dental practice, we like to take a proactive approach to your dental care, which means we treat your dental health issues in a timely manner. We are concerned about your comfort and overall wellness.

What happens during root canal therapy in Coffs Harbour?

Sometimes, root canal treatment can save a tooth from extraction. Many people associate root canals with pain, but these symptoms are actually related to the infection, and a root canal can provide welcome relief.

Common symptoms that may indicate a root canal is needed include:

  • Swelling near the tooth or jaw
  • Sensitivity to pressure or temperature extremes
  • Facial pain
  • Tooth discolouration
  • A hole or white bump on the gums

Root canals require prompt attention and will improve the chances of successful treatment. An emergency dental exam can determine if your tooth needs a root canal.

For your root canal treatment in Coffs Harbour, your dentist numbs the area. Then he gently removes the infected root and pulp, closing with a temporary filling to promote healing. At a later date, you may need a tooth crown to support this tooth.

You should feel better immediately, but you may notice mild pain or slight swelling for a day or two following your treatment. This is typically remedied with pain medications purchased in shops.  

What should I expect at my appointment?

tooth extractions coffs harbour, nsw

Expect a caring team and gentle dentist working to make you feel comfortable and to eliminate your pain.

Diagnosing a root canal infection requires an x-ray and a few simple tests. We prioritise patient comfort and will completely numb the tooth so that you do not feel pain during the procedure.

Once the need for a root canal is determined, Dr Ward will use small cleaners to remove the infection from inside the tooth along with all damaged tissue. By eliminating the source of the problem, your body will begin to heal. To complete the process, Dr Ward will seal the tooth. In most situations, a dental crown provides the best protection.

Most patients report little discomfort after root canal treatment, but some tenderness when biting is normal. It should improve within a few days. 

If you are undergoing a tooth extraction, your dentist numbs the area thoroughly before beginning treatment. Typically, you feel pressure during the extraction, but you are unlikely to feel pain.

How can I prevent these problems from recurring?

The best way to prevent infections, decay or tooth trauma is by taking proactive steps to keep your smile healthy and safe.

Your dentist in Coffs Harbour recommends keeping your mouth clean with an excellent oral hygiene routine at home. You should also schedule and keep regular appointments with your dentist for cleans and exams.

Brushing and flossing regularly at home clears debris and bacteria from your teeth—the components that cause decay and infection.

However, for stubborn bacteria and resistant tarter, you may rely on professional teeth cleaning in Coffs Harbour. Additionally, regular dental exams promote better oral health because your dentist can point out problem areas in your mouth, notice areas your toothbrush may be missing or discover decay or infection before pain sets in.

If you are competing in sports or high-impact games, you should consider a mouthguard or the proper face gear to protect your smile from sudden trauma.

At Arthur Street Dental, we are here to provide specific instructions for your smile health as well. It is our goal that your smile remains healthy and comfortable.

Tooth Extractions and Root Canal Therapy in Coffs Harbour

If you have a toothache, our Arthur Street Dental team is here to help you feel like yourself again. Whether you are currently a patient or you’re looking for a new dental clinic for your family, we welcome you to contact us.

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