Root Canal Treatment

aka RCT, Endodontic Treatment, Root Filling

Root canal treatment (endodontics) is a dental procedure used to treat infection at the centre of a tooth, the pulp.
Root canal treatment can save a tooth that might otherwise have to be removed.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is that part of the pulp that lies within the root of a tooth.

Some teeth have a single root, others have multiple roots; so it follows that some teeth have just 1 root canal, others have 4 or more.

What is the pulp?

The central part of a tooth is called the pulp.

It is the living part of the tooth containing nerve and blood vessels.

The pulp can be rather complex in shape, with many branches extending down the roots of the teeth.

The pulp is highlighted in pink. Note how complex the pulp can be.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment (RCT) is a procedure undertaken to save a tooth and relieve pain.

The pulp may already be completely infected, possibly with an abscess at the end of the tooth.

Alternatively the tooth may have some living pulp tissue left, but if effectively dying because the remaining pulp tissue has been damaged or decayed.

Procedure

1. Open the tooth

2. Removal of infected or damaged pulp tissue within the root canal

3. Thoroughly cleaning the root canal to eradicate any bacteria

4. Filling the root canal space with an inert rubber material called gutta percha

5. Sealing the root filling to prevent repeat infection.

Do I need a crown after Root Canal Treatment?

After a tooth has undergone Root Canal Treatment, it is important to protect the tooth.

A root filled tooth is more likely to fracture than one that is not. This is because the tooth has been heavily restored before with little

A restoration that covers the whole biting surface of the tooth, normally a crown or onlay, is often recommended; particularly on back teeth.

A post is sometimes needed to provide support in a root filled tooth too.