Root canal treatment
Cleaning out infected or inflamed nerve tissue inside a tooth, then sealing it.
Key points
- Root canal treatment removes infected pulp from inside the tooth and seals it.
- Back teeth usually need a crown afterwards.
- It can add days to a trip if the clinic finds a problem tooth during a crown or veneer case.
Top clinics for root canal treatment
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Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleans the canals and seals them. Back teeth have more canals and take longer than front teeth.
A root-treated tooth becomes brittle, so a back tooth usually needs a crown afterwards. If you're having crowns or veneers done on the same trip, the clinic may find a tooth that needs a root canal first, which can add days.
Questions to ask the clinic
- Do you use a microscope or rotary instruments?
- Is the crown included, or quoted separately?
- How many visits do you expect for this tooth?
Frequently asked questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
It's done under local anaesthetic, so the treatment itself should feel similar to having a filling. The tooth may be sore for a few days afterwards.
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Root canals.
- NHS. Root canal treatment.
This article is general information, not medical advice. A dentist who has examined you is the right person to recommend treatment.