A toothache can occur for many reasons but most commonly, the pain is caused due to irritation of the nerve in a tooth, or inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth. Our dentists will carefully examine and diagnose the cause of pain and explain possible ways to treat a toothache. The earlier a toothache is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat before it progresses. Though all toothaches should be considered urgent, if there is visible swelling, we recommend you book an appointment (javascript:void(0))immediately.

Root canal treatment may be required to save a tooth infection which has spread into the nerve, most commonly due to large untreated decay or a heavy knock to a tooth. In most cases, a root canal treatment will save a tooth that may have otherwise needed to be removed. The procedure involves the careful removal of the infected tissue from inside the tooth, a medicine application directly into the tooth, and the sealing of the tooth to prevent further infection. It is recommended the root canal treated tooth should be crowned after the treatment to reinforce the strength of the natural tooth.

Removal of a tooth (dental extraction) may be recommended due to an infection or advanced stage gum disease. Most commonly, tooth removal is required due to infection present on a tooth that is beyond repair. Our dentists will prioritise saving a tooth where possible, but in cases where that is not possible, removal of the infected tooth may be advised. To avoid a dental extraction, our dentists can perform a root canal treatment, or in some cases, a large filling. Regardless of the treatment, regular check-up and clean appointments means any tooth decay or cavities can be found sooner - and treated with the best prognosis for the tooth.

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are usually the last teeth to erupt and won’t be seen by most patients until their late teens or early twenties. Most people will have 4 wisdom teeth, though some patients may have less or none. Most commonly, the cause of wisdom tooth pain is due to inflammation or infection of the gum around the area. The wisdom tooth’s position in the mouth can make it very difficult to keep clean, and in cases like these, the patient may benefit from having the teeth removed. This is generally the case for wisdom teeth growing abnormally (impacted), or in a mouth where there is not enough space for the tooth. Due to the position of the wisdom tooth, in some complex cases, a referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be advised by your dentist.

Broken or cracked teeth can occur as a result of decay, clenching/grinding, trauma, broken fillings or biting on hard foods. It is very common that a broken tooth may not cause any pain, even so, they should be treated as urgent and seen by a dentist as soon as possible. A broken tooth can act as a direct road for decay and infection to enter straight into the nerve of the tooth. If treated within a reasonable timeframe, the dentist may be able to place a filling, crown or root canal treat the tooth. In severe cases, the tooth may need to be removed.