root canal treatment

root canal treatment is a procedure performed to remove the infected nerve of a tooth.

every tooth has a central nerve, or nerves, within it, which allows us to sense pain, pressure, and temperature. this nerve sits within canals in the roots of the teeth. when the nerve of a tooth is injured or damaged by tooth decay, trauma, or gum disease, it becomes infected and leads to symptoms of pain, even swelling, often making it difficult to eat, drink and sleep.

in such circumstances, the only treatment option to save the tooth is to perform root canal treatment.

the procedure itself can sometimes take 2-3 appointments, and it is advisable to have a crown placed on the tooth after – this is because it is likely to break over time and the crown can act as an additional barrier against reinfection.

frequently asked questions

how many appointments will root canal treatment take?

it depends on the complexity of the procedure – anywhere between 1 and 3 visits.

will it hurt?

it shouldn’t after we have numbed you up. a lot of patients report immediate relief after we start the procedure because they have been in considerable pain beforehand.

is this available on the NHS?

yes, root canal treatment is available on the NHS but if it is of a more complex nature, then the dentist is likely to refer you to have it done with a root canal specialist, which will be on a private basis.

can any tooth have root canal treatment?

it depends on the general health of the tooth – as long as it is strong enough to undergo treatment and be built back up after, it should be able to have root canal treatment. we usually advise a crown is put on after to give it back the strength it needs to survive long-term.