Root Canal Treatments

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal therapy or root canal treatment is a procedure used to treat infection or pain/discomfort within a tooth. The pain or infection is mostly caused by bacteria.

Bacteria can progress into a tooth via many ways including deep decay, previous deep fillings, or even dental trauma.

When the pulp becomes diseased or dies, it can remain pain-free or there can be associated pain and swelling (abscess). Root canal treatment aims to render the area disease and pain-free. Without treatment, the infection could progress even in the absence of any pain.

The alternative to root canal treatment is removal of the tooth. Root canal treatment aims to retain the tooth in your mouth preserving appearance, and allows you to chew with comfort and maintain neighbouring teeth in their position.

What is the root canal treatment procedure?

A majority of root canal cases are treated in a single appointment. A small hole is drilled in the centre of the tooth to allow removal of infected tissue and begin disinfection of the root canal system. Subsequently, the root canal system is filled to prevent reinfection.

If the infection is severe, some medicine can be placed inside the tooth covered by a filling on the first visit and the treatment would be completed at a second appointment.

In most cases a crown is recommended to be placed over the tooth, to create a good seal for the root canal filling to prevent reinfection and also prevents the tooth from breaking.

Is root canal treatment painful?

The treatment is carried out under Local anaesthetic. Root canal therapy is comparable to getting a dental filling for most patients.

About the dentist

Sam Protty

BDS, MJDF RCS (Eng), PGDip Endo

Sam is a dentist who has undertaken postgraduate training in the discipline of Endodontics. He has developed the special and necessary skills required to diagnose and treat the more difficult (or complex) and challenging cases. In addition, some treatments present technical challenges that can more readily be met with specialist equipment not routinely available in general dental practice.