- To treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed. This can be done by either:
- removing the bacteria from the root canal system (root canal treatment)
- removing the tooth (extraction)
However, removing the tooth isn’t usually recommended as it’s better to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible.
After the bacteria have been removed, the root canal will be filled and the tooth sealed with a filling or crown. In most cases the inflamed tissue near the tooth will heal naturally.
Before having root canal treatment, you’ll usually be given a local anaesthetic. This means the procedure shouldn’t be painful and should be no more unpleasant than having a filling.
Root canal treatment is usually successful. In about 9 out of 10 cases a tooth can survive for up to 10 years after root canal treatment.
