When is a root canal treatment needed?
Inside every tooth is soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels (the pulp). A deep cavity, a leaking filling, a crack or a blow to the tooth can cause this tissue to become inflamed or to die. Common signs are persistent or throbbing pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold, pain when biting or a swollen cheek. Sometimes an inflammation develops without any clear symptoms and only becomes visible on an X-ray.
How does the treatment work?
Depending on the situation, the treatment takes one or two appointments. It involves three steps.
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Anaesthetic
The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and is therefore usually no more painful than having a filling placed.
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Cleaning and filling
Through a small opening in the tooth, the root canals are carefully cleaned, disinfected and filled, so that bacteria no longer have a chance.
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Check
We take X-rays to check that the root canals are properly filled all the way to the root tip.
After the treatment
A tooth without a nerve becomes more brittle over time. To give the tooth lasting protection, it is sealed with a filling, and especially for molars a crown is often advisable. Some mild tenderness in the first few days is normal and can be managed well with an ordinary painkiller.
Preservation comes first
We treat with a focus on preserving your own tooth whenever this is responsibly possible. If a tooth can no longer be saved, we will honestly discuss the alternatives, such as an implant or bridge, including the considerations and costs.