Root Canal Treatment

A Root Canal is required to treat tooth decay, trauma or gum disease which is causing severe pain or sensitivity in the tooth. This pain can make it difficult to eat, drink and sleep.

Every tooth has a nerve in its root which enables us to sense pain, pressure, hot and cold. If this nerve is affected by tooth decay, trauma or gum disease it can become exposed and infected which can cause strong pain or sensitivity.

Root canal treatment is also known as endodontic treatment. The procedure involves using delicate instruments to gently clean out the root canals in the gums. This removes any exposed or infected nerve tissues. Once they have been cleaned out, a rubber type material is placed within the canal system to ensure that bacteria cannot re-enter the tooth and that it can then be restored to normal function. Success rates of root canals are generally very high.

If you decide against root canal treatment the only other alternative is to remove the tooth and replace it with either an implant, bridge or removable denture. Whilst these alternatives can be very successful, they do not compare to a natural tooth.

Symptoms that may require a root canal

• Pain to hot and cold, especially hot
• Pain that lasts after you stop eating or drinking
• Pain on biting down
• Gum swelling
• Spontaneous pain
• Pain affecting sleep

Frequently Asked Questions

How many appointments for root canal?
Occasionally it can be done in one appointment, but it could take 2 or 3 appointments.

Will my tooth last for after root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment has a very high success rate and the tooth can last a lifetime if properly restored and maintained.

Does it hurt to have root canal treatment?
A local anaesthetic will make sure the area is adequately numb for the treatment. The pain is worse before the treatment and it is the root canal treatment which provides pain relief.

Is there pain after the treatment?
There can be some discomfort afterwards, but this usually remedied with over the counter painkillers.

How much will a root canal cost?
The cost can depend on the difficulty and complexity of the procedure, but in general it depends on the number of root canals. Single rooted canals start from €350 with multiple rooted teeth starting from €650.

What treatment can be done instead of root canal treatment?
The tooth can be extracted which can result in a functional chewing problem or aesthetic issue. Replacing the tooth with a prosthesis such as a denture, bridge or implant may be required.

Can all teeth have root canal treatment?
No. Tooth quality, size and bone quality determine whether root canal treatment is possible. We will only ever treat teeth that have a good long term prognosis.

Can root canal treatment fail?
Research suggests that root canal success rates can be over 90%. However like any other dental treatment nothing is guaranteed. Failure can also occur If there is further tooth decay and if the tooth is not maintained properly afterwards.