Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment may be needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damage.

What is root canal treatment (RCT)?

When the nerve or dental pulp inside the tooth becomes exposed, inflamed or infected, it can cause sensitivity and sometimes acute toothache.

Also known as endodontics, root canal treatment is a common dental treatment to remove the tissue inside a tooth when it becomes inflamed or infected. It is an effective and potentially long-lasting solution to treat the infection, relieve pain and save your tooth.

Do I need root canal treatment?

Injury, deep tooth decay, cracked or chipped teeth, failing crowns or a dislodged filling may lead to an infection of the nerve and dental pulp.

Particularly for back teeth, signs that may suggest an infection can include:

• Sensitivity
• Toothache
• Acute tooth pain
• Swelling
• Dark tooth discolouration

If untreated, an infection can spread through the root canal system and potentially lead to abscesses, causing significant discomfort.

Your dentist will advise you if root canal treatment is right for you during your initial consultation.

What happens during the treatment?

X-rays and dental imagery are frequently used to identify the extent of the infection.

Your dentist will first numb the area around the tooth to be treated with a local anaesthetic. Damaged and decayed parts of the tooth are then removed. Infected tissue within the canals is taken out and the canals are thoroughly cleaned.

The root canals are then disinfected then filled and sealed. A composite filling or dental crown will then be used to restore and strengthen the tooth.