Left: a tooth whose pulp (nerve) has become infected following deep decay, with an infection at the tip of the root. Right: the same tooth after treatment – the canals have been cleaned and filled, and the tooth has been sealed.
Inside every tooth is the pulp, a living tissue made up of nerves and blood vessels, housed in one or more canals running through the roots.
When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected – for example after deep decay, a fracture or a knock – it cannot heal on its own. Root canal treatment involves removing the affected pulp, carefully cleaning and disinfecting the canals, and then sealing them tightly.
The tooth is saved and can continue to do its job for many years.
Some signs should prompt you to see a dentist:
Intense or throbbing toothache, sometimes at night
Lingering sensitivity to heat or cold
Pain when chewing or when the tooth is touched
Swelling of the gum or cheek, sometimes with a small pimple on the gum
A tooth that changes colour and becomes darker
Sometimes the infection causes no symptoms at all and is discovered at a check-up or on an X-ray – one more reason not to skip regular check-ups.
A clinical examination and X-ray to assess the condition of the tooth and the number and shape of its canals.
The area is numbed, so the treatment is painless, just like a routine filling.
A thin protective sheet (rubber dam) is placed around the tooth so that we can work in a clean, dry environment.
The affected pulp is removed, then the canals are shaped and rinsed with disinfecting solutions.
The canals are filled with a biocompatible material that seals them and prevents re-infection.
The tooth is closed with a filling. Depending on how much tooth structure remains, a crown may be recommended to protect it in the long term.
Treatment is usually completed in one or two appointments, depending on the complexity of the tooth and the extent of the infection.
Thanks to local anaesthetic, root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than a standard filling. In fact, it relieves the pain caused by the infection.
After treatment, some mild tenderness may last a few days, especially when chewing. It is easily relieved with ordinary painkillers. If the pain gets worse or swelling appears, please contact the practice.
Avoid chewing on the treated side until the tooth has been permanently restored.
Brush and floss as usual.
Keep your follow-up appointments: a follow-up X-ray lets us check that healing is going well.
A properly treated and restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Whenever possible, keeping your natural tooth is the best option: it preserves the bone, the alignment of neighbouring teeth and natural chewing. Root canal treatment is often a simpler and less costly alternative to an extraction followed by an implant or a bridge.
At your consultation, we will assess the chances of success with you and, if necessary, discuss the other options.
Our team will see you promptly to make a diagnosis and suggest the right treatment.
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