Root Canal Treatment

Endodontic treatment that removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals them to save a tooth that might otherwise need extraction. At ArtiSmile root canal work is carried out under magnification using a surgical microscope, which helps the dentist locate and clean the fine canal anatomy precisely. It relieves pain from deep decay or infection and preserves the natural tooth.

Root canal treatment, or endodontics, is needed when the soft tissue inside a tooth — the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels — becomes inflamed or infected, usually through deep decay, a crack or trauma. Left untreated this can cause severe pain and abscesses, so the aim of treatment is to remove the damaged pulp, thoroughly clean and shape the root canals, disinfect them and seal them, allowing you to keep the tooth rather than lose it. At ArtiSmile this work is performed under a surgical microscope. The high magnification and focused light help the dentist find all of the canals — which can be narrow, curved or hard to see — and clean them completely, which is one of the most important factors in the long-term success of the treatment. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia using the clinic's computer-controlled system and is generally no more uncomfortable than having a filling; depending on the tooth it may be completed in one or more visits. Afterwards the tooth is usually restored with a filling and, particularly for heavily broken-down back teeth, often a crown to protect it from fracture. The price varies with which tooth is involved and how many canals it has. Some tenderness for a few days as the area settles is normal, and the dentist will explain how to care for the tooth and when any final restoration should follow.