Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

Endodontics is often referred to as ‘root canal therapy’, but the two treatments are the same thing.

Root canal therapy is needed when there is an infection within the blood or nerve supply of your tooth (the pulp). Pain is not always present in the early stages of this infection, but your tooth may darken in colour.
Your dentist will delicately try to clear out infection from the centre of your teeth (the root canal system). They will fill the canal and seal the tooth to stop it becoming infected again.

Modern techniques for treating root canals mean that the treatment should be painless and be very successful. Endodontic treatment is a skilled and detailed procedure, however, and so a course of treatment may take several longer appointments – but it is the best way to help you keep your own teeth in cases where it and the tissues around have become badly infected.