Root Canal Therapy (Endontontic treatment)
When is root canal therapy required?
The innermost part of the tooth is the pulp. It is a space where blood supply and the nerve tissue is located.
When decay (caries), fillings or crack disturb the pulp, it can get inflamed or infected and cause pain. If left untreated can the pulp can become necrotic and create a dental abscess.
Root canal therapy treats diseased pulp.
What is involved in root canal therapy?
When the pulp is diseased, it is usually associated with pain- dull throbbing ache, painful to chew or sensitive to cold or hot. It can also disturb sleep.
The dentist will anaesthetise (numb) the tooth, so during the procedure, there should be no pain. If you can feel pain let the dentist know as some infected teeth require more anaesthetic.
Usually, root canal therapy is divided into 2 stages
- Clean and shaping the canal space (60 – 90mins) and
- Filling of the canal space (60 – 90 mins) usually 1-2 weeks after the first stage
Note, after the numb has worn off of either stage of root canal therapy, you may experience discomfort.
Once the root canal therapy complete the tooth will require a restoration either a filling, onlay or crown.
Is there other treatment options?
Unfortunately, once the pulp is infected, it needs to be treated and filling the tooth is not enough.
The alternative to root canal therapy is extraction with possible replacement, i.e. denture, bridge or implant.