Root canal treatment aims to remove infection from inside a tooth to save it from an extraction.
Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or damaged. This can be caused by decay, leaking fillings, traumatised teeth or other injury to the root canal system. If root canal treatment is not carried out, an abscess can result and infection can spread, which means that the tooth may need to be extracted.
Prior to any root canal treatment, your dentist will take an x-ray of the affected tooth. This will allow them to build up a clear picture of the root canal and assess the extent of any damage.
Root canal treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. In some cases, where the tooth has died and is no longer sensitive, it may not be necessary to use a local anaesthetic.
The centre of your tooth will be opened in order to remove the infected pulp (nerves at centre of tooth). Cleaning and shaping of the Root Canal System will be carried out with a series of files and the root canal will be filled. Furthermore, the remainder of the tooth will then be sealed using a filling.
Root-filled teeth are more likely to break than healthy teeth, so your dentist in the majority of cases will advise a crown to protect the tooth from biting forces and improve aesthetics. You should also avoid biting on hard foods such as ice, apples and sweets until all treatment is complete. This is to ensure that no time is wasted and that treatment is fully effective.
Most people can help prevent the need for further root canal treatment by maintaining good oral hygiene, being careful to avoid too much sugary food and quitting smoking.
