Few dental treatments have a worse reputation than the root canal, yet most of that fear is out of date. Modern root canal treatment is routine and is designed to stop pain, not cause it. Here is what really happens.
Inside every tooth is a soft centre of nerve and blood vessels called the pulp. When decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes infected and can cause severe pain or an abscess. A root canal removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it, saving a tooth that would otherwise have to be pulled out.
This is the question everyone asks. The honest answer is that the treatment itself should not hurt, because the tooth is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. What hurts is the infection beforehand, and the root canal is what relieves it. Most patients say it feels much like having a filling, just over a longer appointment.
We numb the tooth, place a small protective sheet around it, then clean out the canals with fine instruments and rinse them. The tooth is sealed, and because a treated tooth becomes more brittle it is usually protected afterwards with a crown. Treatment may take one or two visits depending on the tooth.
The tooth may feel tender for a few days, especially when biting, which normal pain relief handles well. You can usually return to work the same day. Keep the tooth clean and avoid chewing hard foods on it until the permanent crown is placed.
Almost always, yes. Nothing works quite as well as your own tooth, and keeping it avoids the gap and the cost of replacing it later. If an infection has flared up and you are in pain, do not wait it out; contact us or an emergency dentist promptly.
The treatment itself should not hurt because the tooth is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. The pain people associate with root canals is actually the infection beforehand, which the treatment relieves.
Anywhere from about 60 to 90 minutes per visit, and it may take one or two visits depending on the tooth and how many canals it has. Back teeth generally take longer than front teeth.
A treated tooth loses its internal blood supply and becomes more brittle, so it is prone to fracture. A crown covers and protects it, which greatly improves how long the tooth lasts.
With a good seal, a protective crown and regular care, a root-canal-treated tooth can last many years, often a lifetime. Keeping up your check-ups helps catch any problems early.