Treatments
Root canal treatment
Treatment that cleans and seals the root canal when the nerve tissue inside the tooth has been damaged. It is carried out to keep the tooth in place.
Who it is considered for
- Persistent pain or prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold
- Deep decay that has reached the nerve
- Swelling or an abscess near the tooth
- An injury to the tooth that damaged the nerve
How the treatment works
- 1
Diagnosis
An examination and imaging to confirm the source is the root canal.
- 2
Anaesthetic and access
The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic.
- 3
Cleaning and sealing
The root canals are cleaned and sealed.
- 4
Restoring the tooth
Afterwards a restoration, and sometimes a crown, is needed to protect the tooth.
What to expect
- More than one appointment is sometimes required
- A tooth after root canal treatment is more brittle and usually needs a suitable restoration
- Some discomfort in the days afterwards is possible
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this treatment
Why not simply extract the tooth?
Keeping the natural tooth preserves the bite and the surrounding bone. Extraction is considered when the tooth cannot be preserved.
Is a crown always needed afterwards?
Not always. It depends on how much tooth structure remains and where the tooth sits.
Information on this site is general only and is not medical advice or a recommendation. Every treatment is determined individually after examination.