Root Canal Treatment

When the root of your tooth becomes infected, the solution is to perform root canal treatment.

Whilst root canal treatment used to be considered a complex procedure, today it’s incredibly straightforward; our patients are always surprised at how easy it is to have it done. Root canal treatment can save an infected tooth from needing to be taken out.

When is root canal treatment necessary?

A root canal can become necessary when the living tissues inside a tooth become jeopardised due to an infection. Some of the ways a tooth can become infected include:

• You’ve suffered a hard knock to the tooth.
• The tooth has become severely decayed over time.
• There is an abscess present.

Root canal treatment: Your treatment journey

Root canal treatment isn’t the ordeal it used to be. As an anaesthetic is used, you won’t feel anything whilst your dentist works to treat your infected tooth. You should feel able to get back to your normal routine the day after treatment has been performed.

Examination: We will look at the overall health of your mouth and check how much damage the infected tooth has sustained.

Disinfection: An anaesthetic is given to numb the area surrounding the tooth, and the root canals are cleaned and disinfected.

Sealing: The tooth is filled with a rubber material that minimises the risk of reinfection. A crown or filling is then made to restore function and aesthetics to the tooth (as some infected teeth can turn dark in shade).

Your questions answered

What happens after root canal treatment?

It’s normal for your tooth to feel slightly sensitive once the anaesthetic has worn off. However, you’ll find this can easily be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers.

An infected tooth can cause some undesirable symptoms, ranging from a bad taste in your mouth and pain to extreme sensitivity. The great news is, once treatment is complete, you won’t have to put up with these any longer.

I’m a bit nervous – is there anything you can do to help?

We can offer sedation if you feel anxious about having root canal treatment. Sedation can help even the most nervous patients relax during a procedure.