Teeth are supported in the jawbone by their roots. Front teeth usually have a single root; back teeth have several roots.

Inside the tooth is a soft mass of tissue called the pulp. In a healthy tooth, the pulp contains living fibres, cells, nerves and a blood supply, extending into the roots and through the root canals. However, tooth decay or injury can destroy this living part, leading to toothache and possibly an infection, called an abscess.

A Root Canal treatment ( also known as a root-filling ) involves removing the damaged or dead pulp and filling the space left. The remaining tooth can then be repaired.

What can my dentist do?

• The shape and number of tooth roots can be determined by looking at an x-ray, which may also show signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Teeth can have a number of roots and some roots are easier to fill than others because of their shape. This will be discussed with you to assess whether the root canal treatment will be successful
• To keep the root canals dry during treatment, we may stretch a thin sheet of rubber (a rubber dam) around the tooth, on a frame inside the mouth. This makes the treatment more comfortable and prevents any contamination of the root canal system by saliva
• You will be given local anaesthetic and then an opening is made through the top of the tooth, down into the pulp.
• Your dentist will use fine instruments to carefully find the root canals and remove the dead/damaged pulp.
• A further x-ray will determine whether all the dead pulp has been removed.
• The roots will then be filled with rubbery materials and pastes that will set hard.

Root-fillings may require more than one visit. A local anaesthetic is usually required, but if the pulp is dead, this may not be the case.
The tooth may be tender for a day or two afterwards, so a mild painkiller might need to be taken.

What are the benefits?

• Pulp damage can cause a painful toothache, but the pain will usually end very quickly once the root canal is cleaned out.
• Without a root-filling, a tooth with dead pulp will probably require extracting. There is also a possibility that you may develop an infection that can spread beyond the tooth itself.

Root fillings are usually successful first time and can last many years. However, re-treatment is also possible if the infection should recur.