Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is needed if the nerve chamber of the tooth is violated either by bacteria or trauma. Sometimes, bacteria can progress through the channels inside the tooth from under a filling or a crack in the tooth. If the nerve chamber becomes infected, there is a risk of an abscess developing in the bone under the tooth.

An abscess can be acute – very painful, or chronic – no pain at all. No abscess should be left untreated as it damages the bone and can lead to the infection spreading. Whilst antibiotics can treat an abscess in the short term – they do not remove the source of the infection. This is why a root treatment may be required if an abscess is detected either in the mouth or on a regular necessary radiograph.

Root treatments involve cleaning out the entire chamber within the tooth and removing all the infection. The success of a root treatment can be variable and depends on many factors including the individual anatomy of the tooth. The best chance of a root treatment being successful is if an operative microscope is used. We may refer to a specialist if we feel this would give the best outcome.