Root canal treatment

Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, which holds the nerve and blood supply. When deep decay, a crack or an old filling lets bacteria reach it, the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Left alone, the infection can spread to the bone around the root and cause an abscess — and the tooth may eventually be lost.

Root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals inside the roots, and then fills and seals them. It is done under local anaesthesia, so for most people it feels much like having a filling. Depending on the tooth and the infection, it may be completed in one sitting or spread over two or three.

Because a treated tooth becomes more brittle, it is usually protected afterwards with a crown (cap), especially on back teeth that take heavy chewing. With a well-fitting crown and good oral hygiene, a root-canal-treated tooth can last for many years.