Why Might You Need Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is a routine and highly effective way to save a damaged or infected tooth. It relieves pain, stops infection, and helps you keep your natural tooth for years to come.

What Is A Root Canal?

Every tooth has a soft inner core called the pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. The pulp sits inside the hard outer layers of enamel and dentine and helps nourish the tooth during its growth.

When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, the tooth can become painful and sensitive to temperature or pressure.

What Is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment involves gently removing the infected or damaged pulp from inside the tooth. The root canals are then cleaned, disinfected, and sealed with a safe, rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

This process eliminates bacteria, prevents reinfection, and allows the natural tooth to remain in place. Getting root canal treatment avoids the need for extraction.

When Might Root Canal Treatment Be Necessary?

Root canal treatment may be required if you experience:

• Persistent pain or throbbing in a tooth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after contact
• Swelling, tenderness, or a small pimple-like spot near the gum
• Pain when biting or chewing

Infection can sometimes cause visible swelling or a small gum blister that drains pus. In other cases, there may be no external signs at all, yet the tooth remains painful or sensitive due to inflammation inside the pulp. This often occurs in teeth with deep fillings or after trauma, even when the tooth appears completely normal.

In some cases, your dentist may also recommend root canal treatment before placing advanced restorative work, such as a crown, where additional stability is needed.

Common Causes Of Root Canal Problems

Root canal treatment is usually needed when bacteria reach the pulp, causing inflammation or infection.

This can happen for several reasons, including:

• Deep decay that reaches the inner pulp
• Leaking or damaged fillings allowing bacteria to enter
• Cracked or chipped teeth caused by injury or grinding
• Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
• Trauma, even without visible signs of damage.
  

Poor oral hygiene, untreated decay, or ignoring early symptoms can also allow bacteria to spread deeper into the tooth, eventually affecting the nerve and surrounding tissues. When this happens, you may notice lingering pain, sensitivity, or swelling near the affected area.

Even if no damage is visible, the pulp may still be affected and require treatment to prevent infection or pain.

Regular dental check-ups and prompt care for decay or cracks are the best ways to avoid problems that lead to root canal treatment.

What Happens If It’s Not Treated?

If left untreated, an infection inside the tooth can spread to the surrounding bone and tissues, forming an abscess. This may cause swelling, throbbing pain, or tenderness in the jaw.

In severe cases, the infection can spread further, affecting neighbouring teeth or facial areas.

Treating the infection early with root canal therapy helps prevent these complications and preserves your natural tooth.

The Outcome

Thanks to modern endodontic techniques and advanced anaesthetics, root canal treatment today is a routine, safe, and pain-free procedure.

Once the tooth is restored, it can last for many years, often for a lifetime, with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups.

Preserving your natural tooth maintains overall dental alignment and also keeps your smile looking natural and symmetrical.

Most patients return to normal eating and chewing within a day or two.

If you think you may need root canal treatment, contact our specialists for expert advice and gentle, effective care.