When bacteria finds its way into the centre of the tooth (because of dental decay, leaking filling, tooth fracture or trauma etc) an inflammatory reaction occurs which can result in toothache and ultimately an abscess. Sometimes no pain is experienced and the nerve dies quietly resulting in a slowly progressing bone infection.

At any stage treatment can be carried out to prevent spread of the infection: One option is loss of the tooth. More often it is elected to try and save the tooth.

 
Before and after root canal treatment
Before root canal treatment - infection at root
Before
fter root canal treatment - infection removed
After

In order to save the tooth root canal therapy is required. As the cause of the problem is bacterial infection, successful root canal therapy is effective disinfection of the inside of the tooth. This can, and should, be a totally painless experience. The tooth is isolated under a dental dam and after the inside of the tooth is accessed it is soaked in a disinfectant. Teeth are porous, like a sponge, which is why soaking with a disinfectant is successful. Tiny titanium and stainless steel instruments are used to gently clean the inside of the tooth down to the tips of the roots, allowing the disinfectant to work effectively. Once completed, a plastic filling material is used to fill the root canal space and prevent reinfection.

Most back teeth need full coverage crowns after root canal therapy to prevent future fracture of the weakened tooth structure.

Root canal therapy of front teeth takes about 1- 1+1/2-hrs and back teeth approximately 2-3hrs. It is generally possible to carry out the full procedure at one appointment.