Root Canal Treatment in Truro

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that looks after the health of the inside of your teeth. All teeth have a small amount of soft tissue within them, which we call the ‘pulp’. The pulp helps to keep the tooth healthy and strong.

Unfortunately, it is possible for the pulp of your tooth to die. This may happen due to decay, trauma, severe gum disease, or a crack forming in your tooth. Invariably, once the pulp inside your tooth dies, it is a matter of time before the tooth develops an infection inside it then within the gum below it.

The initial stages of your tooth becoming infected can be painless. Sometimes the only sign is slight darkening of your tooth. In other cases, you may develop lingering pain on hot food or drinks, or pain on biting, followed by swelling (an abscess). Sometimes pain from an infected tooth can be severe.

Leaving the tooth untreated or infected is likely to become increasingly painful as it comes into contact with hot and cold foods; chewing can also make this pain worse. Sometimes the pain can become continuous and may be accompanied by swelling. The longer the infection is left within your tooth, the lower the success rate of subsequent treatment becomes.

Removing the tooth (extraction):
If the tooth is removed, your body is easily able to remove any residual infection. You may then choose to leave the gap, or replace the tooth with an implant, bridge, or denture. Unfortunately, bridges can damage your other teeth and dentures often feel bulky. Missing a back tooth can affect your ability to chew and can put increased pressure on your remaining teeth, which could cause these to break or crack. Missing a front tooth could have a massive effect on your self confidence.

Root canal treatment is completed under local anaesthetic, so is not painful. It feels similar to having a filling. The endodontist will use a small rubber sheet to protect your tooth from further infection while he works. The procedure is normally completed in two hour long appointments, however, depending on the tooth, it can sometimes take a little longer. It is likely you will then need to attend further appointments to have the tooth crowned.

It is possible to re-do a root treatment completed by another dentist. It is also possible to remove broken instruments and repair holes in the surface of the tooth created by other dentists in some cases.

Having your tooth root treated is less expensive than having an implant. Root canal treatment will cost from £750-£1200 (plus crown) whereas an implant will cost more than £2000. It is also less invasive as it will not require any gum surgery. Root canal treatment may also lead to improved gum aesthetics, as the bone supporting an implant can change over time.

Like all dental treatments, success cannot be guaranteed. Root canal treatment on a tooth for the first time has a success rate of 95%, whereas redoing a root treatment has a success rate of 85%. Root canal treatments vary, please see our dental treatment pricing for more information.