Many of us feel nervous at the very mention of the words root and canal, but it’s actually an important and effective procedure that can save a tooth from being taken out.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to treat tooth infection. You might need it if the infection has reached the pulp chamber, which contains all the tooth’s living tissue (the pulp). If you don’t get it treated, infected pulp will begin to decay and go rotten and eventually you’ll lose the tooth.

This treatment stops infection from spreading and protects your tooth. Most of the time, it’s the better option rather than having your tooth removed. Your dentist might suggest root canal treatment if you have a severely decayed tooth or if you’ve damaged your tooth, for example during a sports accident.

What happens in treatment?

Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic to minimise discomfort. We will drill into the tooth to access the root canals, which contain the living tissue of the tooth. The decayed or damaged pulp will be removed from the tooth and the canals can be cleaned. Once the root canals are clear of decayed pulp, they are filled and sealed.

Following root canal treatment it is common for a temporary crown to be fitted. This helps to strengthen and protect the tooth. After around two weeks, the permanent crown should be ready.

Is root canal treatment painful?

Many people have an awful view of root canal treatment and imagine it must be dreadfully painful. The reality is that it is carried out under local anaesthetic so the tooth will be completely numb and you should experience no pain at all. We do everything we can to make patients feel as relaxed as possible during treatment at Advance Dental Clinic.