Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damaged by an injury to your mouth. This infection may spread through the root canal system and could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the tooth may need to be taken out. Root canal therapy involves the following:
- First, local anaesthetic will be administered to ensure no discomfort is felt during treatment.
- The tooth will be prepared with a drill, allowing access to the root canal system.
- The root canal system will be thoroughly cleaned out to remove all infection and pulp.
- The root canal system is then filled and sealed temporarily with a crown.
- Back teeth are significantly more likely to discolour or crack after a root treatment. Therefore it is often advised that the tooth is reviewed after a period of settling and if the infection has resolved and the tooth remains asymptomatic, a crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent an un favourable fracture which may deem the tooth unrestorable.
Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure and most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits.
Benefits
- Preservation of remaining healthy tooth structure.
- Prevention of infection spreading any further.
- Restoration of tooth to its natural look and feel.