(IV) Health & prevention — No. 12
Endodontics (Root Canal Treatment)
Keeping the tooth is always the first option.
Treating inflammation of the living tissue inside a tooth, so the tooth can be kept rather than removed.
At a glance
- Sessions
- Usually 1–2
- Duration
- 60–90 min
- Anaesthesia
- Local
- Afterwards
- Usually a crown or large filling
Durations and visit counts are typical values; they vary from person to person and become clear after an examination.
Inside every tooth there is living tissue made of nerves and vessels: the pulp. When deep decay, a crack or a knock inflames it, severe pain and an abscess can follow.
Root canal treatment cleans out the inflamed tissue, shapes and disinfects the root canals and seals them. The aim is to keep the tooth. No artificial solution quite takes the place of your own tooth.
Root canal treatment has a bad reputation; yet today, under local anaesthesia, it often feels little different from having a filling.
Who it is for
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Toothache that starts on its own or worsens at night
- Swelling or an abscess in the gum
- A tooth that has changed colour after a knock
Options
- 01
Root canal treatment
Cleaning out the inflamed pulp, shaping and sealing the canals.
- 02
Retreatment
Redoing an earlier treatment that is causing problems.
- 03
Apical surgery
Where needed, surgical treatment of infection at the root tip.
The process
Diagnosis
Clinical tests and X-rays establish the condition of the pulp.
Anaesthesia and isolation
Local anaesthesia is given; the tooth is isolated from saliva.
Cleaning
Inflamed tissue is removed; the canals are shaped and disinfected.
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed.
Restoration
The tooth is strengthened with a filling or a crown.
—The Dent BB approach
Removing a tooth takes minutes; replacing it takes months. So we always try to treat a tooth before we let it go.
Honest expectations
- Some sensitivity for a few days after treatment is common.
- Root-treated teeth can be more brittle; a crown is often advised to protect them.
- Success rates are high, but some cases may need retreatment or surgery.
Aftercare
- Avoid chewing hard food on that side until the final restoration
- Keep your follow-up X-rays
- Carry on with daily care
Frequently asked
Is root canal treatment painful?
It is done under local anaesthesia, so there is usually no pain during treatment. Sensitivity afterwards is short-lived.
How long does a root-treated tooth last?
Restored properly, many years — often a lifetime.
Isn't it better to extract it and place an implant?
Where possible, keeping your own tooth is usually the first choice. We decide together, based on the tooth's condition and prognosis.
Will the tooth change colour afterwards?
It sometimes darkens; this can be solved with internal whitening or a crown.
This page is for information. A diagnosis and a treatment plan require an examination.