In the middle of each of your teeth is a mixture of blood vessels and nerves called pulp. Pulp sits inside a space called the pulp chamber. Connected to the pulp chamber and the pulp are one or more root canals. If your tooth is damaged, bacteria from your saliva can get inside it. This causes causes irritation, pain and swelling.
This can happen in a number of ways including:
- severe tooth decay
- repeated treatment on the tooth
- a cracked tooth, caused by an injury
- a broken crown
- cracked or loose fillings
- gum disease
- an injury, such as a blow to your mouth
The pulp can become infected and this can spread to the root canal. If the infection spreads further it can cause an abscess, which is a collection of pus. This can be painful and tender and can cause swelling around your tooth and jaw. Sometimes your tooth may look darker in colour than your other teeth, which means that the nerve inside your tooth is dead or dying. Without treatment, the infection may spread further into your jawbone and you may need to have your tooth taken out.
The aim of root canal treatment is to prevent your tooth from being taken out by removing the damaged pulp and treating the infection.
Root canal treatment is done by a dentist. But if your tooth is difficult to treat, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist. This is a dentist who specialises in root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is done in one or more sessions, depending on how severe the problem is and the type of tooth you’re having treatment on.
Your dentist will examine you and ask about your symptoms, including any pain you’re having. They may also ask you about your medical history and any previous treatment you’ve had on your teeth. Your dentist will take an X-ray of your tooth. This can help to show which tooth is causing your pain and needs treatment, and how far any infection has spread. This helps your dentist to make sure that the tooth is not too badly damaged for root canal treatment, and that your tooth can be fixed.
Root canal treatment is usually done under local anaesthesia. This completely blocks pain from your tooth and, jaw area and you will stay awake during the procedure. If you’re worried about having a local anaesthetic, talk to your dentist.
Your dentist will discuss what will happen with you before any treatment takes place. If you’re unsure about anything, ask. No question is too small. It’s important that you feel fully informed so you feel happy to give your consent for the procedure to go ahead. You’ll be asked to do this by signing a consent form.
Some people find going to the dentist makes them feel nervous and fearful and this can stop people getting the treatment they need. Read our information about dental anxiety, and how you can get support and help to manage it.
Sometimes, damaged teeth can’t be repaired with root canal treatment. This is usually if your tooth is badly damaged or if you have severe gum disease which prevents your tooth from healing or being well supported after treatment. If this happens, your dentist may suggest you have the tooth removed (extracted).
Your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic a few minutes before starting your treatment. This gives the anaesthetic time to work and makes sure you have no pain during the procedure.
Your dentist will separate your tooth from the rest of your mouth using a thin sheet of rubber called a dam. This helps to keep the area around the tooth clean and stops the spread of any infection.
Using a drill, your dentist will make a hole in the top of your tooth and remove the pulp. They will clean out the empty hole using small instruments and also a liquid to disinfect the inside of the tooth. The instruments help to make the canals a more regular shape to enable the tooth to be filled and cleaned more precisely. Your appointment may last between one and one and a half hours. You may need more than one appointment.
Once the tooth is clean, your dentist will fill and seal it. If there’s a risk your tooth may become damaged again, your dentist may suggest having a crown fitted. This is an artificial cap that fits over your tooth. You’re more likely to need a crown fitted if the tooth is one of your back teeth because these are used for chewing. Sometimes root canal treatment has to be done over more than one visit. If this is the case, your dentist will put a temporary filling in your tooth to keep it sealed until your next appointment.
Having root canal treatment can be uncomfortable because it can mean sitting still with your mouth open for longer than you’re used to. Your dentist will make you as comfortable as possible before the procedure starts.
You will be able to go home when you feel ready. After a local anaesthetic, it may take several hours before the feeling comes back into your jaw and face. Take special care not to bump or knock the area.
You may need pain relief to help with any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off. If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.
When you next need to see your dentist will depend on the reasons for your treatment and how the procedure went. Your dentist may ask you to have further X-rays and check-ups to make sure that the tooth is secure and you’re healing well.
Some people need to have further root canal treatment if the tooth cracks or more decay develops.
After your treatment, it's important to take care of your repaired tooth. These tips will help to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
- Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash, if your dentist recommends it.
- Use dental floss to clean between your teeth every day.
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat only small amounts of foods that contain a lot of sugar.
Side-effects are the unwanted but mostly temporary effects you may get after having the procedure.
You may have some slight tenderness around the tooth that has been treated, but usually this lasts for only a short time. If you have severe pain or any pain or discomfort that gets worse, see your dentist. The area around your tooth may also be swollen and bruised. This should get better within two weeks of your treatment.
Complications are when problems occur during or after the treatment. All medical and dental procedures come with some risk. But how these risks apply to you will be different from how they apply to others. Be sure to ask for more information if you have any concerns.
Most root canal treatment is successful, but sometimes further problems can occur. Possible complications include:
- damage to the root canal or the tissue surrounding the tooth
- damage to the nerves around the tooth
Sometimes, root canal treatment doesn’t work and you may be advised to have more treatment. This is called re-treatment. Sometimes, symptoms can return years after you’ve had root canal treatment and your dentist may suggest re-treatment then.
After root canal treatment, the restored tooth may last as long as your other teeth. Your dentist won’t be able to guarantee your root canal treatment will last forever. Some research shows that about nine out of 10 root canal treated teeth are still intact after 10 years. There are lots of things that can affect how long a restored tooth lasts, including the type of tooth you’ve had treatment on. The best thing you can do is to care for teeth well. It’s important to look after your teeth and gums and to see your dentist regularly.
Yes, you may have to pay for root canal treatment, unless you’re eligible for free NHS treatment. Your dentist will give you a written estimate of the costs involved, before you start your root canal treatment.More information
If you’re treated by an NHS dentist, you will be able to get your treatment free of charge, or at a reduced cost. Whether or not your treatment is free will depend on your circumstances. For example, if you’re under 18, pregnant or receiving certain benefits, you’re entitled to free treatment.
If you have your dental treatment privately, you will need to pay all of your treatment costs. The costs of private root canal treatment vary from dentist to dentist. How much your treatment costs will also depend on how severe the problem is and the type of tooth being treated.
- European Society of Endodontology. Quality guidelines for endodontic treatment: consensus report of the European Society of Endodontology. Int Endodontic J 2006; 39: 921–30. www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk
- Root canals. American Association of Endodontists. www.aae.org, accessed 3 February 2016
- How your dentist looks after your teeth. British Endodontic Society. www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk, published 2012
- Dental abscess. BMJ Best Practice. www.bestpractice.bmj.com, published November 2015
- Dental abscess. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, published July 2015
- Guidelines for surgical endodontics. 2nd ed. Royal College of Surgeons. www.rcseng.ac.uk, 2012
- Tooth extraction. Medscape. www.emedicine.medscape.com, published April 2015
- Further information. British Endodontic Society. www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk, accessed 4 February 2016
- Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. 3rd ed. Public Health England. www.gov.uk, 2014
- Methods of diagnosis and treatment in endodontics: a systematic review. Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment, 2010. www.sbu.se
- Crowns. British Dental Association. www.bdasmile.org, accessed 5 February 2016
- The use of dental crowns for endodontically treated teeth: a review of the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and guidelines. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, 2015. www.cadth.ca
- Outcome of primary root canal treatment: systematic review of the literature. Part 1: effects of study characteristics on probability of success. University of York. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, 2009. www.crd.york.ac.uk
- Ng Y-L, Mann V, Gulabivala K. Tooth survival following non-surgical root canal treatment: a systematic review of the literature. Int Endodontic J 2010; 43:171–89. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2009.01671.x
- Elemam RF, Pretty I. Comparison of the success rate of endodontic treatment and implant treatment. ISRN Dentistry 2011. doi:10.5402/2011/640509
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Reviewed by Natalie Heaton, Specialist Editor – User Experience, Bupa Health Content Team, March 2016.
Peer reviewed by Dr Steve Preddy, Dental Clinical Director, Bupa Dental Services, Bupa UK.
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