Root Canal Treatment
Saving your tooth. Relieving your pain. Protecting your smile.
When the inside of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment can often save it — allowing you to keep your natural tooth rather than having it removed.
Although the words root canal can sound a little daunting, modern techniques and local anaesthetic mean that treatment is usually much more comfortable than patients expect.
Why might I need root canal treatment?
Inside your tooth is a soft centre called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If bacteria reach this area through deep decay, a crack, a large filling or an injury, the pulp can become inflamed or infected.
You may notice:
Persistent or severe toothache
Sensitivity to hot or cold
Pain when biting or chewing
Swelling or tenderness around the tooth
An unpleasant taste or, sometimes, an abscess
Sometimes, however, a tooth can become infected without causing obvious symptoms. This is why regular dental examinations are so important.
What happens during treatment?
Our priority is to make you feel comfortable and informed throughout your treatment.
We make you comfortable
The tooth is carefully numbed using local anaesthetic. You shouldn't feel pain during the procedure, and we'll always check that you're comfortable before we begin.We reach the source
A small opening is made in the tooth, allowing us to access the infected or damaged tissue inside.We clean and treat the canals
The affected tissue is removed and the tiny canals inside the roots are carefully cleaned and disinfected.We seal the tooth
The canals are then filled and sealed to prevent bacteria from getting back inside.We protect your tooth
The final step is to restore the tooth so that it can function normally again. Depending on the tooth and how much healthy structure remains, this may involve a filling or a crown.
What will it feel like afterwards?
It's completely normal for the tooth to feel slightly tender for a few days after treatment, particularly when biting. This usually settles as the surrounding tissues heal.
Most patients can carry on with their normal day after treatment. We'll give you clear aftercare advice and let you know if there are any foods or activities you should avoid while your final restoration is being completed.
How many appointments will I need?
Every tooth is different. Some root canal treatments can be completed in a single appointment, while more complex cases may need two or more visits.
Before we start, we'll explain what your treatment involves, how many appointments we expect you to need and the associated costs — so there are no surprises.
Is root canal treatment painful?
This is probably the question we hear most often.
The treatment itself should not be painful.
With effective local anaesthetic and modern techniques, most patients find the experience much easier than they anticipated. You may feel some pressure or movement during treatment, but you should not feel sharp pain.
If you're nervous or particularly anxious about treatment, please tell us. We can talk through your concerns and make sure you feel comfortable before we begin.
Why save the natural tooth?
Whenever possible, keeping your own natural tooth is usually the best option.
Root canal treatment removes the infection while allowing the tooth to remain in place, helping to maintain your natural bite, appearance and function.
Our aim isn't simply to treat the problem — it's to help you keep your smile healthy for as long as possible.
Think you might need a root canal?
Don't put off a painful or troublesome tooth. The sooner we can identify the problem, the sooner we can help.
Book a consultation and we'll assess your tooth, explain what's happening and talk you through the options available to you.