Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment saves a tooth whose nerve has become inflamed or infected, and relieves the pain that comes with it. It suits a tooth with deep decay, a crack, or an injury that has reached the soft tissue inside, where the tooth can otherwise usually be saved. Dr Annabel Davies provides root canal treatment at BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre.

When you might need it

Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, a crack, repeated dental work, or an injury can let bacteria reach the pulp and infect it, which can cause pain, swelling, or sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers. Left untreated, the infection can spread further and affect the bone around the tooth. Root canal treatment removes the infected or dead pulp, so the tooth can be kept rather than removed.

What happens at the appointment

The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, and the area is usually isolated to keep it clean and dry during treatment. The dentist creates a small opening into the tooth, removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth and its root canals, then cleans and reshapes the space before sealing it with a rubber-like material to stop infection returning. A temporary filling protects the tooth between visits, and a permanent filling or crown is fitted once treatment is complete. Some cases, particularly a tooth with a curved or unusually complex root canal, are referred to a specialist in root canal treatment, called an endodontist.

How many visits it takes

Root canal treatment is usually carried out over one to three appointments, depending on the tooth and how complex the case is. A back tooth, with more roots, generally needs more time than a front tooth with a single root.

Aftercare

Numbness can last for a few hours after the appointment, and some soreness or sensitivity around the tooth is common for a few days afterward. Over-the-counter pain relief can help, taken as directed on the packet. A back tooth is often protected with a crown once treatment is complete, since it can be more brittle afterward, and attending the follow-up appointments arranged helps the tooth heal well and stay functional.

Getting in touch

Fees for root canal treatment are discussed with reception. The panel on this page shows how to get in touch. Anyone in pain now can also see the dental emergency guidance on this site.