- Mermaid Dental 1 Norman Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3BQ
- 01225 872 106
Root canal treatment is used to treat infection or inflammation within the inner part of a tooth, known as the dental pulp. This can happen when decay, cracks, trauma or repeated dental treatment allow bacteria to reach the pulp, potentially causing pain, sensitivity or an infection.
During treatment, your dentist carefully removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to help prevent further infection. A filling or dental crown may then be recommended to restore the tooth’s strength, appearance and function.
Treat the infection while preserving the natural tooth wherever possible.
Address the source of pain and inflammation caused by an infected or damaged pulp.
Clean and seal the inside of the tooth to help prevent the spread of infection.
Allow the treated tooth to function normally for biting and chewing.
Root canal treatment can help prevent the need to extract an infected tooth.
Root canal treatment removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and seals them to help protect the tooth.
Not necessarily. Some infected teeth may have little or no pain. Your dentist can identify signs of infection during an examination and with appropriate imaging.
The tooth is normally numbed with local anaesthetic during treatment, so you should remain comfortable. Some tenderness may occur afterwards and usually settles as the tooth heals.
Treatment time depends on the tooth and the complexity of the root canals. Some teeth can be treated in one appointment, while others may require more than one.
A crown may be recommended, particularly for back teeth or teeth that have lost significant structure. Your dentist will advise you based on the condition and strength of your tooth.
