A root canal doesn’t
cause pain. It ends it.
The reputation does not match the reality. When the pulp inside a tooth is infected, the pain is already there — the treatment is what removes it, and saves the tooth in the process.
Removing the infection, keeping the tooth.
Inside every tooth is a soft core — the pulp — containing the nerve and blood supply. When it becomes infected or inflamed through deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental work, it does not settle down on its own.
Left alone, the infection spreads into the surrounding tissue and bone. That is how an abscess forms.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, disinfects the canal system inside the roots, and seals the tooth. The tooth stays in your jaw and carries on working.
When to get seen
- Persistent toothache, especially at night
- Pain on biting or pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold after the source is removed
- A visible abscess or pimple on the gum
- A cracked tooth with an exposed nerve
- Darkening or discolouration of a single tooth
A dental abscess is a contained pocket of infection and needs treating promptly. It does not resolve by itself.
You confirm you feel nothing before we start.
Most patients describe the experience as comparable to having a routine filling. That surprises people, which tells you how much the reputation is doing the talking.
Full local anaesthesia
The tooth and surrounding tissue are completely numbed before anything touches the tooth. We do not proceed until you confirm you feel nothing.
Sedation available
For patients with significant dental anxiety, sedation options are available. Say so when you book so the appointment is planned for it.
Pulp vitality testing
Before planning treatment, we test how much of the nerve is involved — so the plan is based on what is actually happening inside the tooth.
A root-canalled tooth needs a crown.
This is the step people decline to save money, and it is the one that determines whether the treatment lasts.
Once the pulp is removed, the tooth loses its internal blood supply and becomes more brittle. Without a crown to restore its structural integrity and biting strength, it is vulnerable to fracture — and a tooth that fractures below the gum line usually cannot be saved at all.
So the crown is not an upsell on top of the root canal. It is the second half of the same treatment. We coordinate the crown preparation at the time of your root canal appointment to keep the number of visits down.
Root canal, or extraction?
When a tooth is badly infected, this is the choice in front of you. Here is the honest comparison.
Root canal
- Keeps your natural tooth and root
- Preserves the jawbone around it
- Neighbouring teeth stay where they are
- Needs a crown afterwards to last
- Usually completed in few visits
Extraction
- Removes the tooth and the problem with it
- Lower cost on the day
- Leaves a gap that needs replacing
- Jawbone in that area thins over time
- Implant or bridge later costs more than the crown would have
Extraction is cheaper today and usually more expensive over ten years, once you have replaced the tooth. We will tell you honestly which we would choose in your position. More on extraction ›
Answered honestly.
Does a root canal hurt?
How long does a root-canal-treated tooth last?
Why do I need a crown as well?
How many appointments will it take?
Can I just have the tooth out instead?
What if I leave it?
Is it available at both offices?
Toothache that won’t settle?
Call us. The sooner an infected tooth is assessed, the more likely it is we can save it rather than remove it.