If a tooth becomes heavily decayed or cracked or traumatised some other way, the pulp (nerve) can become affected and inflamed. When this happens, it causes the severe toothache that we often hear about. That’s because the pulp is in a closed chamber, so the inflammation has nowhere to go.

The nerves inside a tooth don’t indicate the precise location, which is why the pain can radiate to other parts of the jaws and even be referred to a tooth opposite in the other jaw. It’s very difficult and fairly rare for a pulp that gets to this stage to get better, even if we prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Often the best and most conservative treatment is to remove the pulp (nerve). This is what we refer to as a root-canal filling or endodontics.

The tooth is anaesthetised and with the minimum of discomfort or pain, the nerve can be removed from the tooth. The tooth is then cleaned and disinfected and the canals are shaped like a cone, to receive the filling. After the filling is carefully placed, the tooth is sealed.

We often recommend that teeth that have had root canal treatment should also have a crown, because the process of root canal treatment can cause the tooth to be weaker, especially back molar teeth.

We use the latest technology and equipment including a dental operating microscope and the use of cone beam CT.