Root canal treatment: what to ask your dentist

Root canal treatment is a procedure on the inner part of a tooth, called the pulp. The NHS describes it as removing infected or damaged pulp, cleaning the inside, and then sealing the tooth. The aim is to keep the tooth rather than remove it. Whether you need it is for a licensed dentist to decide after looking at your tooth and, usually, an X-ray.

This page is general. It does not say whether you need treatment.

Why might a dentist suggest a root canal?

Dentists may suggest it when the pulp of a tooth is infected or badly damaged, for example by deep decay or a crack. Signs that can lead to a visit include long-lasting pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling near a tooth. These signs have many causes, so we cannot say what they mean for you. See a dentist.

The NHS also notes that an untreated infection can lead to an abscess, which needs prompt care. If you have facial swelling, a fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing, seek urgent medical help.

What are the options?

Your dentist may talk about three broad paths: treating the root canal, removing the tooth, or monitoring for a time. Each has trade-offs. Ask them to lay out all three.

Questions to ask your clinic

1. Why do you think this tooth needs root canal treatment?
2. What are the other options, and what happens with each?
3. What happens if I wait?
4. Who will do the treatment: a general dentist or a specialist in this area (an endodontist)?
5. How many visits will it take?
6. What will be done afterwards to protect the tooth, such as a filling or a crown?
7. What is covered in the fee, and what could be extra?

Ruling: if your dentist cannot answer questions 2 and 3, ask for a second view before you proceed.

What does the treatment usually involve?

In general terms, you get local anaesthetic (numbing) so the area is numb. The dentist makes an opening in the tooth, removes the pulp, cleans the canals, fills them and seals the tooth. Often the tooth then needs a filling or crown. Details vary, so ask for the plan for your tooth.

What to expect

• Before: an exam, usually an X-ray, a talk about options, and a written plan with costs.
• At the visit: numbing, the procedure, and a temporary or final seal. Visits can be long.
• After: typically some soreness for a few days. Ask your dentist what is normal, what pain relief suits you, and when to call.

Do not rely on this list for your own aftercare. Follow your dentist's written instructions.

Who should do it?

A root canal can be done by a general dentist or by a specialist. Ask who will do yours, and what training or experience applies, without assuming one is always better. Our page on checking a practitioner lists how to confirm a licence.

Red flags

• You are pressed to decide on the spot with no written plan
• No X-ray or examination is mentioned
• The cost is a single number with no lines
• Nobody can say what happens after, or who to call
• The dentist will not discuss other options

How does this compare with other work on a tooth?

A root canal deals with the inside of the tooth. A filling or crown deals with the outside. Our page on crown or filling explains the difference, and the plan questions are in our treatment plan guide.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the follow-up that protects the tooth
• Ignoring pain that returns
• Not asking what the total includes