Root Canal Treatment

A root canal procedure removes the infection from the inside of a tooth. Also known as endodontic treatment, it aims to restore the function and aesthetics of your natural tooth while saving it from being extracted. 

Inside every tooth is a root canal filled with soft tissue called dental pulp, made up of nerves and blood vessels extending down to your tooth’s root. When teeth become infected from decay, injury or disease, this can cause intense pain and lead to further permanent oral health complications.

After the procedure, the root canal is sealed with either a dental crown or a filling to protect the tooth and prevent further infection. 

While there’s a common misconception that root canal therapy is painful, the inflamed and infected pulp causes the pain.

Local anaesthetic is used to numb the affected area prior to all root canal procedures to soothe dental anxiety and make the procedure as pleasant as possible. Any discomfort felt will be equivalent to getting a dental filling. 

While not all people who have root canal infections experience symptoms, it’s important to visit a dental clinic as soon as possible if any symptoms are present. The common signs that you need to seek root canal treatment include: 

• Significant or throbbing tooth pain when chewing or pressure is applied to the tooth 
• Severe and sudden tooth pain that doesn’t stop after taking painkillers
• Lingering sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks 
• Swelling around the gum area surrounding the tooth, a swollen face or neck
• An abscess that looks like a pimple on the gum next to the tooth
• Cracks, chips or holes in teeth
• Tooth discolouration 
• Loose tooth
• Darkened gums

Infection of your tooth’s root canal is irreversible; once it exists, the only cure is removing the tooth pulp. If left untreated, the infection is highly likely to spread to surrounding teeth and gums. It can also lead to deterioration of the underlying bone and gum tissue and other health complications.

Being informed on what to expect will help you prepare for your root canal treatment. There are a few ways to minimise your pain, increase your comfort and benefit your recovery: 

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco for 24 hours before your treatment.
• Sleep well – when you’re rested, your body can recover quicker.
• Eat at least an hour before your procedure, as the numbing from the anaesthetic may make it harder to eat afterwards. 
• Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling prior to the procedure, and keep more painkillers available for the following days.
• Stock up on soft and cooling foods that require minimal chewing to eat while inflammation and swelling are still present

Not always. Whether or not you need a crown after root canal treatment is based on the tooth location and the seriousness of the infected tissue. Dental crowns are recommended for back molar teeth to better withstand the pressure of eating and grinding.

Where root canal treatment is possible, it is preferred over tooth extraction. Teeth are their strongest in their natural form, and root canal therapy aims to maintain the natural structure of your tooth. The overall root canal cost and treatment are also less painful and have minimal complications as opposed to removing the infected tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.

Root canal treatment costs will depend on where the infected tooth is located in your mouth and how complex or long the infection has been present. The price of your treatment will be explained to you during your initial appointment and you can also find information on this on our fee Guide page.

If you’re in need of a root canal treatment near Benson or Kingsclere, then make an appointment with our experienced dentists at Imogen Dental. We’re committed to patient safety and comfort and will do everything we can to make sure that your root canal procedure is pain-free.