Root canal treatment
Treating the inside of a tooth so an infected or inflamed tooth can be kept.
What it is
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If deep decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it can become inflamed or infected. This can cause toothache and, if untreated, an abscess.
Root canal treatment removes the infected or inflamed pulp, cleans and shapes the narrow canals inside the roots, and then fills and seals them. This allows you to keep your own tooth instead of having it removed.
Is it right for me?
Signs that you may need a root canal include lasting toothache, pain when biting, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers, a darkening tooth, or swelling in the gum near a tooth. Sometimes there are no symptoms and the problem shows up on an X-ray.
The dentist will examine the tooth and explain whether root canal treatment, an extraction or another option is suitable.
What happens at the appointment
- The dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays to see the roots.
- The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic.
- A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp.
- The infected or inflamed pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
- The canals are filled and sealed, and the opening is closed with a filling. Treatment may be done over one or more visits.
- Many back teeth need a crown afterwards to protect them from breaking. The dentist will advise you.
Recovery and aftercare
The tooth may feel tender for a few days, especially when biting. Over-the-counter pain relief as advised by the dentist usually helps.
If you have a temporary filling between visits, avoid chewing hard food on that side.
Come back for the final filling or crown as planned. A root-treated tooth without proper protection can crack.
Common questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
The tooth is numbed first. Many people find it feels similar to having a filling. Some tenderness afterwards is common and usually settles within a few days.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on the tooth. Some are finished in one visit, others need two or more.
Why not just take the tooth out?
Keeping your natural tooth helps you chew and keeps nearby teeth from moving. Sometimes extraction is suitable. The dentist will explain both options.
Will I need a crown?
Back teeth often need a crown after root canal treatment because they take a lot of chewing force. The dentist will let you know.
Can antibiotics fix the problem instead?
Antibiotics may help with spreading infection, but they can't clean out the infected pulp inside the tooth. The tooth still needs treatment.
Does medical aid cover root canal treatment?
Many plans offer some cover. You'll get a written quote and we'll explain any co-payment before treatment.
Costs and medical aid
We accept all medical aids and most RCS cards. Depending on your medical aid plan, some treatments may have a co-payment. We'll explain any costs before treatment starts.
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