Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment can save an infected tooth from requiring an extraction, and stop associated pain in its tracks.

What is root canal treatment?

A root canal treatment is a commonly performed procedure where the dentist cleans the nerve and pulp of the tooth and fills the area up to restore the tooth to normal function.

Why do I need a root canal?

When the nerve/pulp in your tooth becomes inflamed or infected, you may experience toothache, intense sensitivity, swelling, discolouration and pain. However, in some cases there are no symptoms, which is why routine check-ups and X-rays are so important. These appointments allow us to spot an infection early and stop the development of a toothache or abscess with minimal treatment.

Nerve and pulp inflammation can be caused through trauma due to an injury, decay, leaking fillings, broken teeth, or crowns.

What to expect from a root canal

A root canal is performed under local anaesthetic and aims to remove the affected nerves and pulp inside a tooth. We use a rubber sheet to isolate the affected tooth and the root canal is then cleaned out and a filling or crown is used to restore the tooth’s function and aesthetics. Root canal appointments are usually 60-90 minutes and may require 2 visits to complete. Feel free to bring headphones and listen to your music/podcasts/ audiobooks to pass the time.

Not all teeth are suitable for a root canal treatment and it may be that we advise a tooth extraction if there is too much tooth decay and insufficient tooth to hold a filling or a crown on. In some instances, we may advise you to see a specialist in root canal treatments (known as an endodontist) to ensure you are getting the best quality outcome.

Aftercare

Aftercare pointers include:

• Avoid biting your lip and tongue as it will be numb for 2-4 hours after the treatment.
• The area may be tender after treatment. Over the counter painkillers are recommended to tackle this.
• It’s common to develop a small swelling / abscess under the tooth after root canal treatment. If this happens, make an appointment to see us, use OTC painkillers and carry out hot salty mouthwashes.