Root Canal Treatment

The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the tooth and the area around it are fully numbed first. Once you’re comfortable, we make a small opening in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp, remove the infected tissue, then clean, shape and disinfect the narrow canals inside the roots. When the tooth is free of infection, we fill and seal those canals to prevent bacteria from getting back in.

How long it takes depends on the tooth. A front tooth has a single canal and is usually quicker, while back teeth have several canals and take longer, so treatment may be spread over more than one visit. One important final step is restoring the tooth properly afterwards. Because a root-treated tooth can become more brittle, we’ll often recommend a crown, particularly on back teeth that take the force of chewing, to protect it and help it last.

Possibly, if the pulp inside a tooth has become infected, but only an examination can tell for sure. The classic signs are a severe or lingering toothache, pain when biting or putting pressure on the tooth, sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts well after the source is removed, swelling or tenderness in the nearby gum, a small pimple-like spot on the gum, or a tooth that’s started to darken.

Sometimes, though, an infected tooth causes surprisingly little pain and is only picked up on an X-ray, which is another reason regular check-ups matter. If you’re getting any of these symptoms, particularly ongoing pain or swelling, book in and we’ll examine the tooth.

Most people feel noticeably better very quickly, since the treatment removes the infection that was causing the pain. It’s normal for the tooth to feel a little tender or sensitive when biting for a few days afterwards, which usually settles within a week or two and is easily managed with ordinary painkillers.

Underneath, the surrounding bone and tissue can take longer to heal fully, sometimes a few months, which we may check with a follow-up X-ray. One thing that really helps the long-term result is having the permanent restoration, often a crown, placed reasonably promptly rather than leaving the tooth with a temporary filling, as this protects it and seals it properly. We’ll let you know the right timing for your tooth.

This is the question we’re asked most, and the reassuring answer is that root canal treatment has a worse reputation than it deserves. Most of the pain people associate with it actually comes from the infected tooth beforehand, not the treatment. Having the root canal done is what relieves that pain.

We numb the tooth thoroughly with local anaesthetic, so the treatment itself feels much like having a filling, and our Enjoyable Dentistry Technique™ helps keep you calm and comfortable throughout, which matters especially if you’re anxious.

After undergoing root canal treatment, the appearance of your tooth may vary depending on the severity of the damage prior to the procedure. It’s possible that a tooth may appear slightly discoloured compared to the surrounding teeth. This is because the nerve and blood supply to the tooth have been removed during the root canal, which can affect the natural colour of the tooth. Teeth whitening treatment can restore the natural colour of the tooth and ensure a seamless appearance.

An infected tooth won’t get better on its own, so leaving it tends to make things worse rather than better. The infection continues to progress, usually bringing worsening pain, and it can lead to a dental abscess, a painful collection of pus at the root. Over time, the infection can spread into the surrounding bone and gum, and in more serious cases cause facial swelling that needs urgent treatment.

Eventually, an untreated tooth like this often can’t be saved and has to be removed, leaving a gap. Root canal treatment is what avoids all of that by dealing with the infection and keeping your natural tooth in place.