If your dentist has recently mentioned that you might need a root canal, it is completely normal to feel a little apprehensive. Root canal treatment (also known as endodontic treatment) is one of the most common dental procedures in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of successful treatments carried out safely every year.
To help put your mind at ease, our dental team has answered the most common questions about how the treatment works, why it is needed, and what standard of care you should expect.
What is a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a routine procedure used to save a tooth that has become infected or inflamed deep inside the root. Performed under local anaesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain, your dentist gently removes the damaged soft tissue (pulp), cleans and disinfects the inner canals, and seals the tooth with a filling or crown to restore its strength.
Why might a root canal be needed?
At the centre of every healthy tooth is a soft tissues area known as the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If bacteria enter this area, the pulp can become inflamed and infected. This could be caused by tooth decay, cracked teeth, leaky fillings, or dental trauma.
In its early stages, an infected tooth can come with some noticeable warning signs that you may need root canal treatment:
- Pain or aching when eating, biting, or applying pressure
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks
- Tenderness or swelling in the nearby gums
- A darkened or discoloured tooth
- A feeling that the tooth is loose or tender to touch
Sometimes, severe pain can suddenly disappear as the infection progresses and damages the nerve. This does not mean the infection has cleared. Without root canal treatment, the bacteria will continue to spread through the root canal system, potentially causing a painful dental abscess or leading to the loss of the tooth.
A dentist should always try to save your natural tooth before resorting to tooth extraction as this is better for your long-term bite and jaw structure.
What happens during a root canal procedure?
Understanding what happens during your appointment can help you feel calm and prepared. Root canal treatment is typically completed over one or two visits, depending on the complexity of the tooth.
1. Numbing the tooth
Your dentist will begin by applying a local anaesthetic to completely numb the infected tooth and surrounding gum tissue. This is painless and will ensure you feel comfortable throughout the procedure.
2. Protecting the tooth
A soft latex or silicone sheet called a rubber dam is placed around the tooth. This keeps the area dry and sterile while protecting your mouth and throat from the cleaning solutions used during treatment.
3. Cleaning the canals
Your dentist creates a tiny access opening through the crown (top part) of the tooth to reach the infected pulp. Using specialised dental instruments, they gently remove the damaged tissue, then clean, disinfect, and shape the fine canals.
4. Filling and sealing
Once cleaned, the canals are filled with biocompatible material to prevent bacteria from returning. If treatment spans two sessions, your dentist will place a gentle antibacterial medication inside the tooth and seal it with a temporary filling between visits.
5. Final restoration
Because a root-filled tooth no longer has a living pulp, it can become slightly more brittle over time. In most cases, your dentist will recommend fitting a permanent dental crown over the tooth to protect it from cracking and restore full chewing strength.
Normal recovery vs signs of complications
It’s completely normal to feel some discomfort or aching for a few days following a root canal. Over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, is usually all that is needed to manage recovery.
However, understanding what proper recovery looks like can help you spot when something isn’t quite right.
| Expected normal recovery | Potential sign of a complication |
|---|---|
| Mild tenderness when biting for 3–5 days | Severe, throbbing, or worsening pain weeks after treatment |
| Slight gum tenderness near the numbing site | Visible swelling in the face, cheek, or gums |
| Feeling a temporary filling in place | A broken, loose, or lost temporary seal |
| Smooth bite once the final crown is fitted | Persistent high spot on the tooth affecting your bite |
If something feels wrong, particularly if you’re in a lot of pain or struggling to eat, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.
What standard of care should you expect from your dentist?
While root canal treatment has a high success rate, it requires a high level of clinical skill. Every patient is entitled to expect a high standard of professional care during their dental treatment.
During a root canal, your dentist should always:
- Take clear pre-operative X-rays: Assess the length, shape, and structure of your root canals before starting.
- Isolate the tooth: Use a protective dam to maintain a sterile environment and protect your airway.
- Thoroughly clean and fill the canals: Ensure all root canals are cleaned fully and sealed tightly to prevent reinfection.
- Maintain open communication: Inform you immediately if an issue occurs (such as a broken instrument inside the canal) and explain how they intend to manage it.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Unfortunately, when standard clinical protocols are not followed, complications can occur. According to our internal analysis at the Dental Law Partnership, we saw a 79% increase in root canal compensation claims between 2019 and 2023.
Common issues that arise from substandard treatment include:
- Incomplete cleaning or filling: Leaving infected tissue behind, leading to recurrent pain or abscesses.
- Instrument fracture: A small dental file snapping inside the canal and being left without informing the patient.
- Root perforation: Accidental damage caused by drilling through the side of the tooth root.
- Chemical spills: Disinfectant solutions leaking beyond the tooth root into surrounding mouth tissues.
- Nerve damage: Persistent numbness, tingling, or severe pain caused by poor technique during local anaesthetic or drilling.
You can read more in our blog: What Can Go Wrong with a Root Canal?
Most root canal procedures in England and Wales are completed safely. However, if your treatment was mishandled, you shouldn’t have to suffer from prolonged pain, unexpected corrective dental bills, or lost confidence.
At the Dental Law Partnership, our team is made up of both legal solicitors and in-house dental professionals. If you are experiencing ongoing issues after a root canal and suspect your dentist failed to provide adequate care, we offer friendly, confidential advice to help you understand whether you have a claim for compensation.
Request a free callback and we’ll get back to you at a time that suits you.