Bliss 32 Dental & Implant Centre
Painless RCT to save an infected tooth, usually in a single sitting.
A root canal treats the soft tissue inside a tooth once it has become infected or inflamed, usually from deep decay, a crack, or an injury. Rather than removing the tooth, the infected tissue is cleaned out, the space inside the root is disinfected and sealed, and the tooth is restored on top. It keeps your own tooth in place, which is almost always better than replacing it.
When it is needed
Persistent toothache, pain on biting, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, a darkening tooth, or swelling of the gum near a tooth. Some teeth needing treatment give no pain at all and are found on an X-ray - which is one reason routine check-ups matter.
What the appointment involves
The tooth and surrounding area are numbed with local anaesthetic first, so the treatment itself should not hurt. Most of the discomfort people associate with root canals is the infection beforehand rather than the procedure. The tooth is isolated, the canals are cleaned and shaped, and then sealed. Depending on the tooth and how infected it is, this may be completed in one visit or split across two.
Afterwards
The tooth is often tender to bite on for a few days while the surrounding tissue settles, and ordinary painkillers are usually enough. If pain increases rather than settles, tell us.
The crown afterwards
A treated back tooth is more brittle than a healthy one and is prone to fracture under chewing. A crown is usually recommended afterwards to protect it, and it is worth budgeting for that from the start rather than treating it as an optional extra.
How long it lasts
A well-sealed and properly restored root-treated tooth can last many years. What shortens its life is a delayed or missing crown, or new decay at the margin, so keep up the check-ups.