Root canal treatment (removing the nerve inside the tooth) is required when a tooth’s nerve has been damaged for any reason. Root canal treatment is the best option to try and save the tooth in those circumstances.
Nerve damage can occur for the various reasons
- Tooth decay reaching to the nerve of the tooth
- Trauma to the tooth
- Broken tooth/fillings
- Extremely worn down teeth
- A tooth has had an extensive dental work
Root canal treatment is usually broken into 2-3 stages to allow some medication to be placed inside the tooth to work in between the visits.
During the initial consultation an x-ray will be taken to diagnose and plan the treatment.
Usually this will be followed by an emergency treatment to remove the nerve from the tooth to relieve pain/infection.
1
1st stage of root canal treatment
The 1st stage of root canal treatment involves removing the infected nerve and placing an anti-biotic medication paste inside each canal, and a temporary filling is placed in the cavity of the tooth to protect the tooth until the next visit. This appointment is usually around 40-50 minutes.
2
2nd stage treatment
The 2nd stage treatment is usually carried out around 4-6 weeks after the 1st stage. The canals are prepared further to receive the root filling and dressed with medication again. This visit usually takes between 40-60 minutes.
3
3rd stage treatment
The 3rd stage treatment is usually carried out around another 4-6 weeks after the second stage. The canals are checked to make sure all the infection is removed. Once the canals are clear, a root filling is carefully placed into the canals. A filling will then be placed into the tooth cavity to restore it and protect it from re-infection. A dental crown is often recommended following a root canal treatment to protect the damaged tooth long-term. This visit usually takes 60-90 minutes.
