Root canal treatment

Endodontic treatment is treatment of the root canals. It saves a tooth whose pulp has been reached by inflammation or infection, and which would otherwise have to be removed.

The usual reasons for coming in are lasting pain, sensitivity to heat that does not settle once the heat is removed, pain on biting, swelling next to the tooth, or a tooth that has darkened. Sometimes there is no pain at all and we find the problem at a check-up.

During treatment the canals are cleaned, shaped with rotary instruments, disinfected and filled. We work under local anaesthetic, and where appropriate the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam, which separates the working area from the rest of the mouth.

Treatment usually takes several visits; between them the tooth is closed temporarily with medication inside the canals. How many visits are needed depends on the tooth and on how many canals it has, and we tell you once we have assessed it.

A treated tooth is more brittle than an intact one, so afterwards we discuss the restoration that will protect it from fracture, from a build-up to a crown. If pain returns after treatment, or if swelling appears, come and see us.