Few dental treatments have a worse reputation than the root canal, and most of it is out of date. Here is what the treatment involves and why it is usually the best way to save a painful tooth.
Key points
- A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside the tooth so you can keep the tooth.
- With modern local anaesthetic, it usually feels similar to having a filling.
- Back teeth often need a crown afterwards to protect them from cracking.
Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed or infected. Root canal treatment cleans out that space, disinfects it and seals it, so the tooth can stay in your mouth.
Myth 1: Root canals are extremely painful
The pain people associate with root canals is usually the toothache that came before. The treatment itself is done under local anaesthetic, and most patients say it feels much like having a large filling. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and is usually managed with ordinary painkillers.
Myth 2: It is better to just pull the tooth out
Keeping your natural tooth is usually the better option when it can be saved. A missing tooth can let neighbouring teeth drift, affect your bite and lead to bone loss in the jaw. Replacing it with a bridge or implant later is often more involved than the root canal would have been. That said, some teeth are too damaged to save, and then a careful extraction is the right choice. We will always explain both options.
Myth 3: If the pain stops, I do not need treatment
Pain can disappear when the nerve inside the tooth dies, but the infection is still there. It can spread into the bone and cause an abscess or facial swelling later. A tooth that once hurt badly and then went quiet still needs checking.
Myth 4: Root canals make you ill
This idea comes from research from the early 1900s that has since been discredited. There is no reliable evidence that root-canal-treated teeth cause disease elsewhere in the body. Leaving an infection untreated is the bigger risk.
Myth 5: It takes many appointments
Many root canals are completed in one or two visits. More complicated cases, such as teeth with curved or extra canals or a long-standing infection, may need an extra appointment.
Myth 6: Once it is done, the tooth is good forever
A root-canal-treated tooth can last for many years, but it can still decay or crack like any other tooth. Back teeth that take heavy biting forces are often protected with a crown. Brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular checkups matter just as much afterwards.
What happens during root canal treatment
- We examine the tooth and take an X-ray to see the roots and any infection.
- The tooth is numbed and isolated with a thin rubber sheet to keep it clean and dry.
- A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp.
- The canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
- The canals are filled and sealed, and the tooth is closed with a filling.
- If needed, a crown is fitted at a later visit to protect the tooth.
Signs you might need a root canal
- Throbbing tooth pain, especially at night
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the drink has gone
- Pain when biting or touching the tooth
- A tooth that has darkened in colour
- A small bump on the gum near the tooth
These signs can have other causes. A dentist will test the tooth and take an X-ray before recommending any treatment.
Aftercare
- Avoid chewing on the tooth until the numbness wears off.
- Expect some tenderness for a few days.
- Avoid very hard foods on that side until any planned crown is fitted.
- Contact us if you have swelling, severe pain or your bite feels high.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different, so please see a dentist for advice about your own teeth.
