The words “root canal” can make some patients nervous, but modern root canal treatment is designed to relieve pain rather than cause it.
Root canal treatment may be recommended when the soft tissue inside a tooth, known as the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. Instead of removing the entire tooth, treatment aims to remove the infection and preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible.
Why Might You Need Root Canal Treatment?
The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. It can become damaged because of:
* Deep tooth decay
* A cracked or broken tooth
* Previous trauma
* A leaking or damaged filling
* Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
Once bacteria reach the pulp, the tooth may become increasingly painful or infected.
What Are the Symptoms?
Possible signs that a tooth needs further assessment include:
* Persistent toothache
* Pain that wakes you during the night
* Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
* Pain when biting
* Swelling around the tooth or gum
* A small gum boil or unpleasant taste
* Tooth discolouration
Some infected teeth may have very few symptoms, which is another reason routine dental examinations are important.
What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?
The first step is an examination and usually an X-ray to assess the tooth and surrounding tissues.
Local anaesthetic is used to keep the area comfortable. Your dentist then creates a small opening in the tooth and carefully removes the infected or inflamed pulp.
The inside of the root canals is cleaned, shaped and disinfected before being sealed.
Depending on the tooth and complexity, treatment may take one or more appointments.
Will I Need a Crown Afterwards?
Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment can sometimes become more vulnerable to fracture, particularly back teeth that experience strong chewing forces.
Depending on the amount of remaining tooth structure, your dentist may recommend a crown or another restoration to provide additional protection.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Root canal treatment is performed using local anaesthetic, and many patients find the procedure similar to having a filling.
The discomfort caused by an infected tooth is often much worse than the treatment itself.
Some mild tenderness after treatment can occur, but this usually settles.
When Should You Book an Assessment?
Persistent dental pain should not be ignored. The earlier an infected or damaged tooth is assessed, the more options you may have for preserving it.
At Ripple Dental Care, we provide personalised assessments and explain each stage clearly before treatment begins.
