Teeth are held in place by roots, inside which the nerve and blood supply to the tooth are found. This is called the pulp. If the pulp dies, the tooth is susceptible to infection. Root treatment, or endodontics, attempts to prevent or eliminate this infection and so save the tooth.
Method: An x ray is taken to check the number and shape of the root canals. The tooth is numbed and access is made to the pulp via a small hole. This can be done under a protective plastic sheet (rubber dam) to help stop new infection. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped and, finally, the root canal is filled with a rubber material. The top of the tooth can now be repaired with a filling or a crown.
Root treatments are not always successful. The success rate is typically 90% per root canal. Should infection remain after treatment, re-treatment may be carried out, usually by a specialist endodontist. Occasionally an Apicectomy is required. This involves making a small cut in the gum to access the tip of the root. This is removed along with the infected bone. The gum is put back with a stitch to allow it to heal. This is done by a specialist in hospital or a private clinic.
