Root Canal Therapy

Root-canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure used to treat pulp necrosis and root-tip infection.

It relieves toothache and preserves affected teeth. Root-canal treatment is indicated when inflammation or infection develops inside the root. During therapy, an endodontist carefully removes infected pulp tissue, cleans, disinfects and shapes the root canals, and fills them with sealing material.

Beneath the outer enamel and dentin layers lies the soft-tissue pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. The pulp nourishes the tooth during its developmental stage. Once a tooth is fully mature, it can survive without pulp nourishment, receiving nutrients from surrounding periodontal tissues.

Your dentist or endodontist will examine the tooth and take radiographs. Local anaesthesia is usually administered for pain control. A latex rubber-dam is placed to isolate the tooth and maintain a clean, dry operating field.

Access to the pulp is gained by drilling a cavity on the tooth surface. Special instruments called files are used to remove inflamed or infected pulp tissue.

Each root canal is cleaned, widened and shaped. Intracanal anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial medication may be placed inside the canal. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed in cases of severe periapical abscess.

Root-canal treatment may require several appointments. A temporary filling will seal the tooth between visits.

Any post-operative pain or discomfort, if present, usually subsides within a few days and is not experienced by every patient. Mild analgesics such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may be taken for relief.

Follow-up X-rays will be taken to verify canal anatomy, working length and treatment outcome.

A tooth does not “die” after pulp removal. It can remain functional because it receives nourishment from surrounding periodontal tissues.