What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans, shapes and seals the space left behind. It treats the cause of the pain rather than removing the tooth, and is usually followed by a crown to protect what remains.
Who is it for?
You have lingering pain to hot or cold that doesn't settle quickly.
A tooth is tender to bite on or has started to darken.
You have been told a cavity has reached the nerve.
A tooth has swelling or a small bump on the gum near it.
Concerns patients bring to us
- Sharp or throbbing pain that wakes you at night.
- A tooth that has become sensitive to hot food and drinks specifically.
- Swelling in the gum or face near a painful tooth.
- Worry that the only alternative is losing the tooth.
Benefits
Treats the infection rather than extracting the tooth.
Clears the infected tissue causing the discomfort, not just the symptom.
Similar in comfort to having a filling placed.
Avoids the shifting and extra strain that follow an extraction.
The treatment process
X-rays and testing confirm the tooth and extent of the infection.
Local anaesthesia, with a rubber dam to keep the tooth clean and dry.
Infected tissue is removed and the canal system shaped and disinfected.
The cleaned space is filled and sealed to prevent reinfection.
A crown is fitted afterwards to protect the treated tooth long-term.
Technology & approach
A rubber dam isolates the tooth throughout treatment, keeping the canal system clean and dry — a standard step that reduces the chance of reinfection.