When decay or a crack reaches the nerve inside your tooth, the pulp becomes infected and the pain can be severe. A root canal removes the infected pulp, disinfects the canals and seals them — clearing the infection and saving a tooth that would otherwise have to come out.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- ✓Toothache that lingers, wakes you at night, or won't settle with painkillers
- ✓Sharp pain when biting or putting pressure on the tooth
- ✓Sensitivity to hot or cold that carries on well after the drink or food is gone
- ✓Swelling or tenderness in the gum, or a recurring pimple-like bump beside the tooth
- ✓A tooth that has darkened compared to the ones next to it
- ✓Deep decay, a crack, or a knock to the tooth that has reached the nerve
- ✓No symptoms at all — some infected nerves are painless and only show up on an X-ray
Root Canal vs Extraction
Once a nerve is infected it won't heal on its own. There are two ways forward, and the right one depends on how much healthy tooth is left.
| Root canal | Extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| The tooth | Kept and rebuilt | Removed permanently |
| Pain | Infection cleared, pain resolves | Infection cleared, pain resolves |
| Chewing | Keeps your natural bite | A gap affects chewing until it's replaced |
| Neighbouring teeth | Left alone | Teeth can drift into the gap and the opposing tooth can over-erupt |
| Jawbone | Preserved by keeping the root | Bone in the gap gradually shrinks |
| Cost | More upfront, especially with a crown | Cheaper now, but replacing the tooth later with an implant, bridge or denture costs more |
Keeping your own tooth is almost always the better outcome. Where a tooth is too broken down or the infection too advanced to save, we'll tell you straight and talk through how to replace it.
Common Questions
Is a root canal painful?
This is the most common worry, and it's backwards. The pain people associate with root canals comes from the infection itself. The tooth is fully numbed for the procedure, and treating it is what makes the pain stop.
How many visits will it take?
It depends on the tooth. Some can be completed in a single visit; others need two or more, where we place a medicated dressing and a temporary filling first and seal the tooth once the infection has settled. Front teeth are usually quicker than molars, which have more canals. We'll tell you which to expect after the X-ray.
Will I need a crown afterwards?
For back teeth, usually yes. A root-treated tooth is more brittle and a crown protects it from cracking under chewing forces. Front teeth can often be restored with a filling instead.
My root-treated tooth has gone dark. Can that be fixed?
Yes. Internal (non-vital) bleaching lightens a tooth that has discoloured after root canal treatment, without needing a veneer or crown.
What happens if I leave it?
The infection doesn't clear by itself. It spreads through the root into the surrounding bone, which can lead to an abscess, facial swelling, and losing the tooth anyway — with a harder, more expensive fix at that point.
What to Expect
Consultation
Our dentist will assess your condition and explain the procedure in detail.
Preparation
We'll ensure you're comfortable before we begin, including local anaesthetic if needed.
Treatment
The procedure is carried out with care and precision.
Aftercare
We'll give you clear aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up if required.
Book Your Root Canal Consultation
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