What is root canal treatment?
The crown of the tooth is made up of the hard, white enamel layer and a thicker dentine layer. Both of these hard layers protect the innermost soft tissues of the tooth called the pulp.
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the pulp tissues from the tooth in the event that it gets infected or inflamed. The space is then cleaned, shaped and sealed so bacteria cannot re-enter.
When is root canal treatment needed?
Pulp tissue can be damaged by any of the following:
- Deep decay reaching the nerve
- An extensive restoration that has affected the pulp
- A cracked or fractured tooth, often following trauma
- Excessive wear of the enamel and dentine
- Severe gum disease
Signs you may need root canal treatment
Signs of pulp damage may include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discolouration of the tooth, swelling, tenderness of the overlying gums or a bad taste in the mouth.
Some teeth give no warning at all and the problem is picked up on an x-ray at a routine check-up — another reason not to let examinations slide.
Why should I have root canal treatment?
Root canal has the potential to save teeth that might otherwise have to be extracted. Keeping your own tooth keeps your bite, your bone and the teeth either side of the gap where they should be — replacing an extracted tooth later with a bridge, denture or implant is almost always the longer and more expensive road.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Root canal treatment procedures are relatively comfortable and often painless, as the tooth is anaesthetised during treatment. The reputation the treatment has is largely a memory of the toothache that brought people in, not of the treatment itself.
Afterwards the tooth may feel slightly tender for a few days. This settles and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
After your root canal
A root-treated back tooth is more brittle than a healthy one, so we will often recommend crowning it — frequently with a CEREC same-day crown — to protect it from fracture.
Frequently asked questions
How much does root canal treatment cost?
Root canal treatment is £545 for an anterior (front) tooth and £645 for a posterior (back) tooth. A crown afterwards, where needed, is £650.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
The tooth is fully anaesthetised, so treatment is relatively comfortable and often painless. Mild tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and settles with over-the-counter pain relief.
How many appointments will I need?
It depends on the tooth and how infected it is. We will tell you the plan, and the cost, before starting.
Is it better to extract the tooth instead?
Extraction is quicker and cheaper on the day, but leaves a gap that usually needs replacing. Root canal treatment keeps your own tooth. We will talk both options through with you honestly.