What is a root canal?
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed or infected. Root canal treatment removes this tissue, cleans the canals and seals them — allowing you to keep your natural tooth.
Common signs
- Strong or throbbing toothache, especially at night
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain when biting
- Swelling of the gum or face, or a small pimple on the gum
- A tooth that has turned darker
The treatment
- X-rays to assess the tooth and its roots.
- Local anaesthesia so the procedure is comfortable.
- The infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
- The canals are filled and sealed.
- The tooth is restored with a filling or, in most back teeth, a crown to protect it from breaking.
Depending on the tooth and the level of infection, treatment takes one to three visits.
Is it painful?
Modern root canal treatment feels similar to having a filling. Most patients find that the pain they came in with is relieved soon after treatment.
Ready to book? Tap Book an appointment or call our hotline — our team will confirm a time that suits you.
