The pulp is the ‘living’ tissue inside a tooth. If this becomes infected, root canal treatment can prevent the infection from spreading and help save the tooth. Infection may be caused by deep decay, damage or a large filling.
The pulp is removed and the root canals flushed clean with an anti-bacterial solution. These are then carefully shaped with special instruments and washed again to remove any debris. The clean canals are filled with a rubber compound and the tooth is fully restored with either a permanent filling or crown.
Root canal therapy has a reputation for being painful but, thanks to anaesthetic and our gentle touch, it should be just like having a normal filling. It’s also worth remembering that root canal is more cost-effective than replacing a lost tooth.
If you maintain an effective oral hygiene routine, a root canal treated tooth should stay intact for years. Regular check-ups are also important so any problems can be swiftly picked up.