Overview - Root canal treatment

What root canal treatment is for

Root canal treatment may be recommended if your tooth is causing you pain because of:

• tooth decay
• gum disease
• a chipped, broken or cracked tooth
• dental abscess (a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums)

Root canal treatment saves your original tooth. If you do not have the treatment, you may need to have the tooth removed.

How to get root canal treatment

You can get root canal treatment from an NHS or private dentist. You may be referred to a specialist in root canal treatment, called an endodontist.

Most people need to pay for NHS dental treatment. Root canal treatment is classed as a band 2 treatment under NHS dental charges.

Some people are entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England.

How root canal treatment is done

Before having root canal treatment, you'll usually be given a local anaesthetic, so you'll be awake but will not feel any pain.

The main steps of root canal treatment are:

1. A dentist drills a hole in the tooth.
2. The soft part in the tooth is removed, or if you have an abscess it will be drained.
3. The tooth is cleaned and shaped so it can be filled.
4. A temporary filling is put in.
5. A crown (a cap that completely covers the tooth) may be needed if the tooth was badly infected.

It usually takes 2 or more appointments to do the treatment. You may have a temporary filling between appointments before the permanent one is done.

Recovering from root canal treatment

You may not have any feeling in your jaw and face for several hours after root canal treatment as the anaesthetic wears off.

The area around your tooth may feel swollen and sore for a few days.

There are things you can do to help you recover from root canal treatment and keep the tooth healthy.