If you have an infected tooth or your tooth is severely damaged or injured, root canal treatment may be recommended. We know what you’re thinking; most people dread hearing the words root canal, let alone undergoing the procedure, but we can promise you that it’s a lot less daunting than is made out and most of our patients leave wondering what they were ever worried about.

Root canal treatment is an effective procedure, which provides an alternative to extraction when a dental infection has reached the pulp tissue or the pulp has been damaged through injury. The pulp is the tooth’s living tissue and it contains the blood vessels and the nerves. Once the pulp is affected, the tooth starts to die and there is a high risk of an infection spreading to the tooth roots and the gums.

What happens when you have root canal treatment?

Before treatment your dentist will talk you through the process and numb your tooth completely; this will help to ensure you understand what is going to happen and that you feel comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the tooth is numb, your dentist will drill into it and access the root canals; these narrow canals run towards the tip of the root. Your dentist will set about cleaning the root canals, removing the dead, decayed or damaged pulp tissue and ensuring that all harmful bacteria are taken away. The root canals are then cleaned thoroughly and sealed using a special material called gutta percha.

We usually recommend placing a new crown after root canal treatment; this helps to make the tooth stronger.

Are there any other alternatives?

Root canal treatment is usually recommended when there is no other option but to extract the tooth.