Root canal treatment is a procedure that involves removing the nerve of a tooth when it has become irreversibly damaged or infected. This can happen as a result of tooth decay reaching the nerve, dental trauma or extensive loss of bone due to periodontal (gum) disease, amongst other causes.

The technical term for the nerve of the tooth is the ‘pulp’. It is essentially a bundle of nerves and blood vessels that starts at the centre of the tooth and continues down the roots in ‘root canals’. The pulp is what makes the tooth alive, allowing the tooth to feel things like heat, cold and pressure and keeping the hard outer parts of the tooth such as the enamel and dentine healthy.

If the pulp does become irreversibly damaged, it will eventually die completely. Bacteria can build up inside the tooth and if left untreated it can become infected, forming an abscess at the bottom of the root. The tooth has to either be extracted (removed) or undergo root canal treatment.

It will typically take your dentist at Park Vue 1-2 visits to complete the root canal procedure, depending on the tooth being treated (premolars and molars usually take longer than front teeth). The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, just like when you have a filling
done. A thin sheet of rubber called a rubber dam is placed around the tooth throughout to provide the best conditions possible for the procedure.

The procedure itself involves using small metal files together with a disinfectant solution to thoroughly clean the inside of the tooth. Any remaining parts of the damaged pulp are removed together with any bacteria that have infected it. The files are used to shape the root canals so they are ready to be filled with a natural rubber-based filling material (called Gutta-Percha) that seals off the space left behind at the end of the treatment. The tooth itself will then need to be sealed with a new filling or crown (cap).

Recovery from root canal treatment is usually straightforward. It is not uncommon, however, to experience some post-operative pain/discomfort which you should manage with regular
painkillers in the first instance. You should also try and avoid using the tooth being treated to bite on hard foods until your treatment is complete. If you experience significant pain or any swelling following treatment you should contact us for further advice and to book a follow-up appointment if the recommended by the dentist.

Your dentist at Park Vue will be on hand to explain what you should expect from your root canal procedure and answer any questions you may have prior to your treatment.