Treatment
Root canal treatment in Nottingham
Root canal treatment — also known as endodontic treatment — is used when the tissue inside a tooth becomes irreversibly inflamed or infected. The aim is to remove the source of infection, clean and disinfect the root canal system, and preserve the natural tooth where its condition allows.
What is root canal treatment?
Inside every tooth is a space containing the dental pulp, a soft tissue made up of nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, cracks, trauma or other damage can cause the pulp to become inflamed or infected.
During root canal treatment, the affected tissue is removed and the root canals are cleaned, disinfected and sealed. The tooth is then restored by your dentist and continues to function as part of your natural dentition.
When might root canal treatment be needed?
Possible signs include:
- severe or spontaneous toothache;
- prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold;
- pain when biting;
- swelling;
- discolouration following trauma;
- evidence of infection around the root on an X-ray.
These symptoms can have other causes, which is why a clinical diagnosis is necessary before treatment. Our diagnosis of tooth pain page explains how we identify the source of the problem.
What happens during the procedure?
- Anaesthesia. The tooth is numbed using local anaesthetic. You should feel pressure and vibration during treatment, but not sharp pain — tell us if you do and the anaesthetic is topped up.
- Isolation. A thin rubber sheet (rubber dam) isolates the tooth from the rest of the mouth, keeping it dry and clean and protecting you from the irrigating solutions.
- Access and cleaning. A small opening is made in the tooth. Under the microscope the canals are identified, cleaned, shaped and disinfected. Magnification provides improved visibility of the internal anatomy, including narrow or additional canals.
- Sealing. The root canals are sealed with a root filling material and the access opening is closed.
- Restoration. The tooth will subsequently require an appropriate final restoration, normally placed by your own dentist. Back teeth commonly need a crown or onlay to reduce the risk of fracture.
Many teeth can be treated in a single appointment. Teeth with significant infection or complex anatomy may need a second visit, with an antibacterial dressing placed inside the tooth in between.
After treatment
Mild tenderness or discomfort when biting may occur for a short period. Over-the-counter pain relief taken according to the packet instructions is usually sufficient. Avoid chewing hard foods on the tooth until it has been permanently restored. If pain becomes worse, swelling develops or the temporary filling is lost, contact the practice.
Benefits for the patient
- an opportunity to preserve the natural tooth;
- treatment of infection within the root canal system;
- restoration of function following appropriate final restoration;
- avoidance of extraction where the tooth has a suitable prognosis.
Whether a tooth is worth treating depends on its individual condition. Our page on saving the natural tooth explains what we assess, and the guide root canal treatment or extraction weighs up the options.