In the middle of each tooth there’s a core of blood vessels and nerves called pulp. The pulp sits inside a space called the root canal. If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. An abscess is an inflamed area in which pus collects and can cause swelling of the tissues around the tooth. The symptoms of an abscess can range from a dull ache to severe pain and the tooth may be tender when you bite and can cause swelling around your tooth and jaw. You may not feel any pain in the early staged of infection.

Sometimes your tooth may look darker in colour than your other teeth, which means that the nerve inside your tooth is dead or dying. Without Root Canal treatment the infection may spread further into your jawbone and you may need to have the tooth taken out.

Root canal procedure involves the pulp and nerve tissue being removed from inside the root canals, which are then thoroughly cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection. Root Canal Treatment normally involves two or more visits to your dentist. If your tooth is particularly difficult to treat your dentist may refer you to a specialist endodontist.

Root Canal Treatment may not be appropriate for every patient and it is conditional on the satisfactory assessment being carried out. Dentist must assess the patient, obtain appropriate consent, obtain a medical history and explain all the options before carrying out any work.