Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, but with modern anaesthetics and techniques, most patients report little to no discomfort during the procedure. Any discomfort afterwards is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.

Signs that you may need a root canal include severe tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling in the gums, or a darkening of the tooth. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to book in with one of our dentists for an assessment.

Root canal treatment typically takes one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case. More complex cases may require multiple visits.

In most cases, a crown is recommended to restore the tooth and protect it from further damage. A crown helps to strengthen the tooth and restore its function for chewing.

Without root canal treatment, the infection or inflammation in the tooth could worsen, leading to more severe pain, abscesses, or even the loss of the tooth. Root canal treatment is the best option to save the tooth and relieve pain.

• To save your tooth: Root canal treatment can prevent the need for tooth extraction by keeping your natural tooth, which is always the first option for maintaining your long-term oral health.
• Pain relief: The procedure can help eliminate the severe tooth pain caused by infection or inflammation inside the tooth.
• Function and comfort: After treatment, the tooth is restored to full function, allowing you to eat, chew, and speak comfortably without the pain caused by infection.

At Chatham Dental, root canal treatment is performed by Dr Raymond Power, a highly skilled and trained endodontist who specialises in treating the inside of teeth. Here’s how the procedure typically works:

• Examination and diagnosis: We thoroughly examine your tooth using X-rays to assess the extent of the infection or damage and develop an accurate diagnosis.
• Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia will be administered to numb the area around the affected tooth to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. At Chatham Dental, we use heated anaesthetic as studies have shown that warming the anaesthetic solution to body temperature or slightly higher can significantly reduce pain felt during an injection.
• Rubber dam placement: A rubber dam is a thin, flexible sheet that isolates one or more teeth from the rest of your mouth during treatment. For a cleaner, more controlled procedure, it keeps the area dry and free from saliva. A small, comfortable clamp is placed around the tooth being treated to anchor the rubber dam. You may feel light pressure. The dam is stretched over the clamp and put around your mouth. You can choose to use a bite block to rest your jaw on so you don’t have to hold your mouth open. You can breathe normally through your nose, and while speaking is limited, you can still communicate with the dental team using hand signals or short phrases. It may feel odd, like something is resting on your lips or cheeks, but most patients adjust quickly. Nearly all of our patients prefer treatment with the rubber dam on. The rubber dam protects your tooth, dries it, and keeps it clean, which helps materials bond properly and prevents bacteria from entering the treatment area. It protects your tongue and cheeks from instruments and stops you from swallowing water or debris.
• Removing the infected tissue: The dentist will create a small opening in the crown of your tooth to access the pulp and remove the infected or damaged tissue.
• Cleaning and Shaping: After removing the pulp, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for sealing. The dentist will use specialised tools to thoroughly clean the space to remove any bacteria.
• Sealing the tooth: The empty space inside the tooth is filled with a biocompatible material to seal it. In many cases, a crown may be needed on top of the tooth to provide additional strength and restore the tooth’s natural appearance and function.
• Post-treatment care: The dentist will provide aftercare instructions to ensure your healing process is as smooth as possible. Any discomfort following the procedure is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

With modern anaesthetic and techniques, most patients feel little to no discomfort during treatment. Mild tenderness afterward is normal and temporary.

Symptoms include severe toothache, lingering sensitivity to heat or cold, swelling, tenderness when biting, or a darkened tooth. A dental assessment confirms the diagnosis.

Most root canal treatments take 60–90 minutes. Complex cases may require two visits.

In most cases, yes. A crown restores strength and protects the tooth long-term, especially if the tooth was heavily damaged.

Keeping your natural tooth is always the best long-term option. Extraction creates other issues, including bone loss and the need for replacement options like implants.

Root canal treatment has a very high success rate, especially when carried out by a trained endodontist.

Reinfection is rare, but it can occur if the tooth is not restored properly or new decay develops. Regular check-ups help prevent this.

Delaying treatment allows the infection to spread, causing increased pain, swelling, or even tooth loss.

You can eat once the numbness wears off, but stick to softer foods for the first 24 hours and avoid chewing directly on the treated tooth until it’s permanently restored.

There may be mild sensitivity for a few days. Once your crown or permanent restoration is in place, it should feel and function like a normal tooth.