When a root canal may be needed
Inside every tooth is the pulp — soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, a crack or an injury can let bacteria reach the pulp, causing inflammation or infection.
- Toothache, especially when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near a tooth
- A tooth that has darkened in colour
What happens during treatment
Depending on the tooth and the infection, treatment may be completed in one visit or spread over more than one.
- The area is numbed with local anaesthetic.
- A small opening is made to reach the pulp.
- The infected or inflamed tissue is removed, and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
- The canals are filled and sealed.
- The tooth is restored — often with a crown to protect it.
After your root canal
Some tenderness for a few days is common and usually eases with simple pain relief, as advised. Back teeth that have had a root canal are often weaker, which is why a crown is frequently recommended to protect them.
Treatment suitability is determined after an in-person dental consultation. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a guarantee of results.