Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth is infected through decay or injury.  The aim of root canal treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal. 

Root canal treatment is a very skilled and time-consuming procedure.

During treatment a protective sheet called a rubber dam is placed over the tooth to keep the tooth dry and free from saliva.  Then each root canal is thoroughly cleaned using special files and washed with a cleansing solution.  In many cases the dentist may use the latest in endodontic equipment; our "Wave One" machine, which uses a rotary instrument to clean and shape the canals quickly and efficiently.  In many cases this equipment will allow the dentist to fill the root canal at the same visit.

Sometimes the canal is then sealed with a temporary dressing.  At a further appointment the dressing is removed and the canal(s) checked to make sure that all the infection has been removed. Finally the canals are obturated (filled) with a special rubber material called Gutta Percha and a sealing compound.  An "Apex Locator" and X-Rays are used during each stage of the treatment to ensure the accuracy of the cleaning and the sealing of the canals.

The tooth is then restored using minimal intervention principles or a crown if the tooth is very damaged.

Before

Upper molar root canal case

Pre-operative x-ray showing apical infection associated with a heavily restored first molar

After

Upper molar root canal case

Post-operative x-ray showing all root canal systems cleaned and obturated to the correct length. Sometimes a puff of sealant can be seen which shows a well obturated canal. Case by S. Hopkins