Root canal treatment involves removing the infected or inflamed pulp from the inside of the tooth roots. During treatment, the dentist will take x-rays, numb the tooth, remove decay, and clean and seal the root canals. Risks include temporary pain, infection, tooth discoloration, file fracture during cleaning, tooth fracture reducing strength, or perforating the tooth root. Local anesthetic risks include damage to lips/cheeks from numbness, failure requiring another injection, bruising if on blood thinners, nerve damage though usually temporary, infection at injection site, or rare allergic reaction.

1. Consent Information- Patient Copy Root Cana
Treatment
1. What is a root canal > Pain:mild, temporary pain
treatment? following root canal treatment may
occur due to inflammation of the
Root canal treatment is the removal
tissues surrounding the tooth,
of infected or
however severe or
inflamed pulp from the inside of the
persistent pain may require more
roots of the tooth.
treatment.
Pulp is the soft tissue inside the
 Infection:in most cases, treatment
crown and roots of
will completely resolve infection
teeth containing nerves and blood
around a tooth, however there is
vessels. Once an
some risk of an infection reoccurring.
infected or inflamed pulp is removed,
Further treatment will be required.
the tooth can
 Discolouration:a tooth may
function normally and usually be
become darker following root canal
retained indefinitely.
treatment. There are procedures
available which may lighten the tooth
2. What happens during a root if this occurs.
canal  File fracture:the fine metal files
treatment? used to clean tooth.Thepulp is
Your dentist will take an x-ray of the removed from the crown and the
tooth and the inside the root canals may break
area around it. The tooth will then be during use. Further treatment may
numbed (an be required.
injection) with a local anaesthetic.  Tooth fracture:root canal
All tooth decay will be removed. The treatment may reduce the strength
dentist will gain access to the pulp and durability of a tooth, making it
chamber of the tooth and remove the more likely to fracture. Some
pulp from the crown and roots. The fractures may require the tooth to be
root canals are cleaned and extracted. This risk is reduced by
completely sealed with a filling placing a strong filling or crown.
material to prevent further infection.  Perforation:depending on the
Root canal treatment may be size and shape of the roots, there is
completed over some risk of creating a hole in the
severalappointments. side of a tooth root during the
Following the root canal treatment, cleaning process. Further treatment
the tooth will berestored with a may be needed.
strong filling material or crown.  Deathas a result of this
procedure is very rare.
3. What are the risks and
complications of a root canal 4. What are the risks and
treatment? complications of alocal
In most cases, root canal treatment anaesthetic during a dental
is successful and the tooth will no procedure?
longer cause pain. However, there is This procedure will require a local
always some risk depending on the anaesthetic.
condition of the tooth, the complexity  Damage to lips and cheeks: you
ofthe root canals and your response may bite or rub the numbed area
to treatment. If thistreatment fails, without realising the damage you are
the tooth may require further causing. Children may need to be
treatment or extraction if it is unable supervised until the numbness has
to be saved. worn off.

2.  Failure of local anaesthetic:this  Infection at site of injection: this
may require a further injection of is uncommon however can be
anaesthetic or a different method of treated with antibiotics.
anaesthesia to be used.  Allergy to the local anaesthetic
 Bruising:if you take any drug used solution: is a rare complication and
to thin yourblood, you are more likely medical attention should be sought
to get a bruise as thismedication immediately.
may affect the way your body Notes to talk to my dentist
clotsyour blood. Applying a cold pack about:
to the area will help to minimise the ...........................................................
bruising. ...................
 Nerve damage: if nerve damage
happens, it is usually temporary and …………………………………………
will get better over a period of weeks ………..
to months. Damage may cause
weakness and/or numbness of the …………………………………………
mouth, lips,tongue or face that the ………
nerve goes to. Permanentnerve
damage rarely happens.