Root canal therapy

When a root canal is needed

The most common reasons are deep decay that has reached the nerve, a significant infection at the root, a crack or trauma, or a tooth that has had repeated large fillings. Typical signs include a lingering ache after hot or cold, pain on biting, swelling of the gum, a pimple-like spot on the gum, or a tooth that has darkened. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the problem is found on an X-ray.

What happens during treatment

1. The tooth is thoroughly frozen and isolated with a small rubber sheet to keep it clean and dry.
2. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth and the inflamed or infected pulp is removed.
3. The canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
4. The canals are sealed with a rubber-like filling material.
5. The opening is closed with a filling. Back teeth usually need a crown afterwards to protect them from cracking.

Depending on the tooth and the infection, treatment takes one or two visits. If you arrive in pain, we can often begin the same day to relieve it and complete the treatment at a follow-up.

Does it hurt?

The treatment itself is done under local anaesthetic and should be comfortable; the toothache that brought you in is usually the painful part. Mild tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and responds to ordinary pain relief.

Root canal or extraction?

Keeping your own tooth is usually the better long-term choice: it preserves your bite and the bone around the tooth, and avoids the cost of replacing it. Sometimes a tooth is too damaged to save, and then a extraction and a plan to replace the tooth is the honest recommendation. We will show you the X-ray and explain which applies to you.