Root Canal Treatment

Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerve and blood vessels called the pulp. When decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach it, the pulp becomes inflamed or infected — and because it is sealed inside the tooth, it cannot recover on its own. That is what causes the kind of toothache people remember.

Root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans and seals the space it came from, and leaves the tooth in place. The alternative is usually taking the tooth out. Keeping your own tooth is almost always worth doing where it can be done.

Signs You May Need One

Not every toothache means a root canal, and some teeth that need one stop hurting entirely once the nerve dies. Worth getting looked at:

• Pain that lingers after something hot or cold, rather than fading in a second or two
• A deep ache that wakes you at night or is worse lying down
• Pain when you bite or press on one particular tooth
• A tooth that has darkened compared with its neighbours
• Swelling or tenderness in the gum near a tooth, or a small recurring pimple on the gum

An examination and an X-ray are what actually tell us, so if any of this sounds familiar it is worth booking rather than waiting to see whether it settles.

Root Canal Treatment Under Sedation

Most root canals are done with local anesthetic alone and are no more uncomfortable than having a filling. The difficulty is rarely the procedure — it is what people expect of it.

If that is you, this is one of the treatments our sedation options suit well. IV moderate sedation, IV deep sedation or general anesthesia all mean you can have the treatment without sitting through it aware of every stage. It also helps if the appointment is a long one, if you have a strong gag reflex, or if staying still is difficult.

What the Appointment Involves

The tooth is numbed, then isolated to keep it clean and dry while we work. We open the top of the tooth, clear the pulp out of the canals inside the root, shape and disinfect them, and seal them. The opening is then filled.

A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle than it was, because the pulp that kept it supplied is gone. Back teeth in particular often need a crown afterwards to stop them fracturing. We will tell you at the time whether yours does.

Some teeth are finished in a single visit and others need two. Which one yours is depends on the tooth and what we find inside it.

Afterwards

The tooth is usually tender for a few days, especially when biting on it, and that settles as the inflammation around the root goes down. Over-the-counter pain relief is enough for most people. The original toothache should be gone.

If you were sedated you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you. Our pre and post-operative instructions page covers preparation and recovery in full, and you can call (226) 257-8888 if anything concerns you.