Root canal treatment in Nottingham that saves the tooth

Inside every tooth is the pulp, the soft tissue that holds its nerve and blood supply. Deep decay, a crack or a knock to the tooth can let bacteria in, and once the pulp is infected it can't heal on its own. The choice is then usually between treating the root canals and taking the tooth out.

We'll always explain both. Keeping your natural tooth is usually the better long-term result, because your bite and the teeth either side stay exactly as they are. It isn't right for every tooth, though. If a tooth is too badly broken to rebuild afterwards, we'll tell you so and talk through the alternatives on our restorative dentistry page, including bridges, dentures and implants.

Before anything starts we take an X-ray to see the shape of the roots and how far the infection has spread. You'll get a written treatment plan, with the full cost, before we begin.

• We numb the tooth and the area around it with local anaesthetic, and check it's fully numb before we start.
• A thin rubber sheet called a rubber dam goes around the tooth to keep it clean and dry.
• We make a small opening in the top of the tooth, remove the infected pulp, and clean and shape the canals with fine instruments.
• The canals are rinsed with an antibacterial solution, then filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.
• The tooth is closed with a filling. Most back teeth then need a crown to protect them.

A front tooth with a single root can often be finished in one appointment of 60 to 90 minutes. Molars have more canals and usually take two visits, with a medicated dressing and a temporary filling in between. If there's a lot of infection, your dentist may wait a little before the final seal to let things settle. That's normal and doesn't mean anything has gone wrong.

Most patients tell us it felt much like having a filling. You'll notice pressure and some vibration, but with the tooth numb you shouldn't feel pain.

If you're nervous about dental treatment, tell us when you book. We'll take things at your pace and explain each step before we do it.

Some tenderness for a few days is normal, especially if the tooth was infected beforehand. Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol usually take care of it, and most people get back to normal the same day.

Avoid chewing hard food on the tooth until it's been permanently restored. Once the pulp has gone the tooth becomes a little more brittle, which is why we normally recommend a crown on back teeth. You can read how that works on our dental crowns page.

A root-treated tooth that's properly restored and checked at your regular appointments can last as long as your other teeth.

We're at 22 Nottingham Road, Burton Joyce, with free parking and an easy drive from Gedling, Carlton, Lowdham and Arnold. We also see plenty of patients from West Bridgford and across Nottingham.

We've been named Dental Clinic of the Year Nottingham and have more than 700 five-star reviews. Every treatment is planned in writing before it starts, and flexible payment plans are available if you'd like to spread the cost.