Endodontic Therapy

Endodontics - root treatment of an infected tooth

Clinician: Dr Richard S Milner,

When the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) becomes infected through decay or injury this can result in the patient requiring root canal treatment.  Treatment is required to avoid the infection resulting in an abscess, which can cause pain and swelling and lead to a facial abscess.

The aim of treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal.  Then the root is cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection, using a local anaesthetic the procedure should feel no different to having a regular filling treated.  When all the infection has cleared the tooth can be permanently filled.  Treatment if referred by a specialist is usually very successful resulting in no recurrence of infection.