Restore
Root canal treatment
The infected nerve is removed from inside the tooth, and the space is sealed.
What it is
A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the space, and lets you keep your natural tooth instead of losing it to extraction. It's usually needed when decay or a crack has reached the nerve.
Who it's for
- Sharp or lingering pain from hot, cold, or biting pressure
- A tooth that's throbbed or ached for more than a day or two
- A cracked tooth with nerve exposure
- A tooth with a visible abscess or swelling near the gum
Who it isn't for
- A tooth fractured below the gum line, or with too little healthy structure left to support it afterward, won't hold up long-term with root canal treatment
- Extraction and replacement with a bridge or implant is the more honest option in that case, and our team will say so rather than treat a tooth that's likely to fail
If this is you, we'll say so at the first visit rather than after.
Questions
Questions people ask
Does it hurt?
The procedure itself is done under local anaesthesia. Some tenderness for a day or two afterward is normal and manageable with the medication prescribed.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
A root canal–treated tooth loses some structural strength and becomes more brittle. A crown protects it from cracking under normal biting force.
What's the difference between a root canal and an extraction?
A root canal saves your natural tooth. Extraction removes it, which then needs replacement with a bridge or implant to avoid shifting of neighbouring teeth.
How should I take care of it afterward?
Avoid chewing on that side until the permanent crown is placed, and keep the follow-up appointment; leaving a treated tooth uncrowned for too long risks fracture.
What affects the cost?
The number of canals in the tooth, whether it's a straightforward or re-treatment case, and whether a crown is included in the plan.
Ask a question about this treatment
A photograph and a recent scan are usually enough to start.