Save the tooth, stop the pain
Root canal treatment rescues a tooth whose nerve (pulp) has become infected or died —
usually through deep decay, a crack or an injury. The alternative is extraction; root canal
treatment lets you keep your natural tooth, which is nearly always the better
outcome.
Signs you might need it
- Toothache that throbs, lingers or wakes you at night
- Prolonged pain with hot or cold (not the brief twinge of sensitivity)
- Pain on biting
- A darkening tooth
- Swelling or a "gum boil" beside the tooth
- Sometimes — nothing at all; the infection shows only on an X-ray
Does it hurt? Honestly — no
Root canal treatment has a terrible, and outdated, reputation. With modern local anaesthetic the
procedure feels much like having a filling — most patients are surprised how uneventful it is.
It's the infection that causes pain; the treatment removes it.
What happens?
- The tooth is numbed completely and isolated with a small protective sheet.
- The infected pulp is removed through a small opening in the tooth.
- The root canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped — this may take one or two visits.
- The canals are sealed with a rubbery filling material.
- The tooth is restored with a filling — back teeth often benefit from a
crown afterwards for strength.
Afterwards: mild tenderness for a few days is normal and settles
with ordinary painkillers. A root-treated tooth, properly restored, can last as long as any
other.
Toothache? Don't wait — call us on 0141 554 0499.
