Consent for Endodontic Treatment

Endodontic treatment removes inflamed or infected tissue (the pulp) from inside a tooth, then cleans, shapes and seals the canals inside the root. Its purpose is to keep a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. It has a high success rate, but because it relies on the body healing, success cannot be guaranteed.

• You may lose the tooth.
• An abscess (pocket of infection) can form and destroy the bone around the tooth.
• The infection can spread beyond the tooth and affect your general health.

1. About 5 to 10 percent of root canal treatments do not heal as hoped and need further care, such as retreatment, surgery at the tip of the root, or removal of the tooth.
2. Rarely, a fine instrument can break and stay inside a canal, or an instrument can make a small hole through the side of the root. Either can cause the treatment to fail and the tooth to be lost.
3. Making an opening through an existing crown, or placing the clamp that holds the protective rubber sheet, can damage the crown so that a new one is needed.
4. A treated tooth can still decay or break.
5. A temporary filling is often placed at first. The tooth will then need a permanent restoration, which may be a filling or a post, build-up and crown, depending on how much tooth is left.

More than one appointment may be needed, plus separate appointments to restore the tooth. Between and after visits you may have temporary symptoms such as tenderness, swelling, pain, drainage, fever or numbness.

Local anaesthetics, pain relievers and antibiotics each carry some risk. Tell your dentist about any side effects or allergies you have had in the past.

Please note: some antibiotics can make hormonal birth control less effective. Use a backup method while taking them.