Tooth Sensitivity: Causes and How to Get Relief
A sharp zing from cold water or ice cream is common, and usually treatable. Learn what causes sensitive teeth and what actually helps.
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The short answer
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the canals, and lets you keep the natural tooth instead of losing it. Done under local anaesthesia, it is intended to relieve pain, not cause it, and is usually followed by a crown to protect the tooth.
- What it is
- Removing infected pulp, cleaning and sealing the root canals
- Best for
- Deep decay, infection or a cracked tooth reaching the nerve
- Typical visits
- Commonly one to three appointments
When should you consider root canal treatment?
- Severe or throbbing toothache, especially at night
- Lingering pain after hot or cold food or drinks
- Pain when biting or pressing on the tooth
- Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- A tooth that has darkened compared with its neighbours
- Deep decay or a large crack reaching the inner tooth
If you recognise any of these, a short examination is the best way to find out what is happening and what, if anything, you need.
What happens, step by step
- 1
Diagnosis
Examination and an X-ray confirm the problem and show the shape of the root canals.
- 2
Numbing
Local anaesthetic is given so you stay comfortable throughout.
- 3
Cleaning the canals
Infected tissue is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
- 4
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed, and the tooth is temporarily or permanently restored.
- 5
Crown protection
Back teeth in particular usually need a crown afterwards to protect them from fracture.
Benefits
- Relief from severe tooth pain and infection
- Saves your natural tooth in most suitable cases
- Prevents infection spreading to the jaw and neighbouring teeth
- Keeps normal biting and chewing
Aftercare and tips
- Mild tenderness for a few days is common and usually eases with simple pain relief advised by your dentist
- Avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until it is fully restored
- Complete any prescribed medicines
- Return for the permanent filling or crown as planned
Root Canal Treatment: frequently asked questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
The treatment is done under local anaesthesia, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. The pain people associate with root canals comes from the infection itself, which the treatment is designed to relieve.
How many visits does a root canal take?
It depends on the tooth and the extent of infection. Many are completed in one to three visits, and your dentist will give you a likely plan after examination.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often yes, particularly for back teeth, because a tooth that has had a root canal can be more brittle. A crown helps protect it for the long term.
What if I do not get a root canal treated?
Untreated infection can worsen, causing abscess, swelling, bone loss and eventually loss of the tooth. Early treatment is simpler and safer.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Whether this treatment is right for you is decided after a clinical examination by your dentist.
