Root canal therapy, also known as RCT, is provided to save a tooth that has an infected pulp or inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth. If you suffer from this, you may experience severe sensitivity to cold or hot, a discoloured tooth, a gum swelling or abscess or even a facial swelling in severe cases. A problem with the dental nerve most commonly develops from deep decay in the tooth, a crack, heavy wear on the teeth, trauma or even gum disease.

The dental nerve comprises a chamber in the centre of the tooth crown and canals within the roots. When this becomes infected, the bacteria in the nerve rapidly multiply and can cause an abscess at the end of the roots (an abscess is an area filled with pus and bacteria). This can result in a gum swelling and, in more severe cases, a facial swelling that, if not managed promptly, could spread to the neck and affect the airways. Bacteria can also enter the blood stream and infect other parts of the body. Individuals with an artificial joint or heart valve, or with complex medical conditions are often at a higher risk of developing more complications from a jaw abscess, thus it is important to suppress the infection quickly and effectively.

The aim of RCT is to remove the infection within the jawbone and the infected nerve within the tooth, alleviating pain and giving you the opportunity to keep your tooth and return full function. Every effort is made to ensure that treatment is as painless as possible for you. To successfully complete RCT often requires multiple visits. In more complex cases, RCT may need to be carried out by a specialist endodontist, which will often be advised at the time of original diagnosis.

After completion of RCT, the tooth will usually need to be protected with a strong filling and/or crown to minimise the risk of cracking of the tooth and possible tooth loss.
Unfortunately, not all teeth are suitable for RCT. In these cases the infected tooth would be removed and suitable replacement options discussed. To prevent the need for RCT in most cases, it is important to practice good oral hygiene regularly, consume a tooth-friendly diet and have regular dental checkups. Also, we recommend wearing a custom-made mouthguard to minimise risk of dental trauma during sport. Please see the ‘Mouthguard’ link for further information on this.

Please contact us if you have any queries regarding this treatment.