Root Canal Treatment

Endodontics, commonly known as root canal treatment, is a dental specialism that deals with the pulp or nerve at the centre of the tooth. At Lonsdale Dental Centre, our root canal work is carried out by our Specialist Endodontist, Dr Aisling Quinn.

Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp or nerve of a tooth becomes infected with bacteria. This can happen because of decay, trauma to a tooth or a broken filling. The term “root canal treatment” makes many patients nervous, but as we use the most advanced techniques and equipment, and as the procedure can be carried out under local anaesthesia or sedation depending on patient preference, you should not experience any pain. Many patients who have had the treatment report that it feels similar to having a filling. Endodontic treatment is essential if you have an infected tooth; without it, you may lose your tooth.

Standard root canal treatment involves the thorough cleaning of the root canal or canals of an infected tooth to clear out the infection. This is done using special endodontic equipment. Once the infection has been cleared, the tooth is filled and sealed to stop it from recurring. Often, teeth that have had endodontic treatment are strengthened with a crown at the end of the treatment.

Endodontic treatment is both highly-skilled and time-consuming due to the intricacy of the treatment, and you will usually need two appointments. In most cases, front teeth have one root with one root canal, whilst back teeth may have two to four roots. The length of your appointment will vary depending on which tooth is infected.

Your tooth may be temporarily filled at the end of your first appointment, to ensure that the infection has fully cleared before it is permanently sealed.

Dr Aisling Quinn can also treat complex endodontic cases, including root canal re-treatment if a prior treatment has failed.