In the centre of your teeth there is a core of nerves and blood vessels known as pulp which sits inside a space called a root canal. Each tooth can have one or more root canals.
If a tooth is damaged through decay, injury or gum disease, pulp can become infected by bacteria causing it to die and result in the loss of the tooth. If the infection spreads it may lead to the development of a painful abscess (a pus-filled swelling) or affect your gums and the tissues and bones that support your teeth.
How root canal treatment works
Root canal treatment is designed to save the damaged tooth and prevent the spread of infection. The infected pulp is removed and the root canal thoroughly cleaned of all bacteria. The empty root canal is then filled with a special substance and permanently sealed, thereby saving the tooth from extraction.
At Lister House Dental Centre root canal treatment is carried out by our resident Special Interest Endodontist, Michael P Szasz. Using the latest equipment and local anaesthetic, root canal treatment is normally painless and is carried out in a single appointment. There may be some discomfort for 24 – 48 hours after the procedure that can be relieved with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol.