Why it becomes necessary
Deep decay, a large old filling, or a knock to the tooth can let bacteria reach the pulp at its centre. Once the pulp is infected it does not recover. Left alone it usually leads to an abscess, and the pain tends to arrive at the least convenient moment.
What the treatment involves
We numb the tooth, open it, clean the infected tissue out of the canals, shape and disinfect them, then seal them. Depending on the tooth, this takes one or two visits. A back tooth that has had root canal treatment is usually crowned afterwards, because removing the pulp leaves it more brittle.
Is it worth saving the tooth?
Almost always. Nothing replaces a natural tooth as well as the tooth itself. An extraction is quicker and cheaper on the day, but a gap moves the teeth around it, and replacing it later with a bridge or denture costs more than the root canal would have.
Common questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
The reputation is out of date. The tooth is fully numbed, and most patients say it feels much like having a large filling. The pain people remember is the infection beforehand.
How many visits will it take?
One or two for most teeth. Front teeth have a single canal and are quicker; molars have several.
Do I definitely need a crown afterwards?
For back teeth, usually yes. Front teeth often do not need one. We will tell you which applies to your tooth.