*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

This Week - R : Root Canal Treatment

What root canal treatment is for

Root canal treatment may be recommended if you've got tooth pain caused by an infected tooth.

The soft part inside a tooth (the pulp) can become infected because of:

If you have an infected tooth and do not have root canal treatment, you may need to have the tooth taken out.

You can get root canal treatment from an NHS or private dentist. Sometimes you may see a root canal specialist called an endodontist.

Most people need to pay for NHS dental treatment. Root canal treatment is classed as a band 2 treatment under NHS dental treatment costs.

Before having root canal treatment, you'll usually be given a local anaesthetic, so you'll be awake but will not feel any pain.

The main steps of root canal treatment are:

A dentist drills a hole in the tooth.
The infected pulp (the soft part inside the tooth) is removed. If you have a dental abscess it will be drained.
The inside of the tooth is cleaned and shaped for a filling.
A filling is put in and the tooth is sealed.

It usually takes 2 or more appointments to do the treatment. The appointments may last 1 to 2 hours, or sometimes longer.

You may have a temporary filling between appointments before the permanent one is done.

A crown (a cap that completely covers the tooth) may be needed if the tooth was badly infected.

You may not have any feeling in your jaw and face for several hours after root canal treatment, while the anaesthetic wears off.

The area around your tooth may feel swollen and sore but it should get better in a couple of weeks.

There are things you can do to help you recover from root canal treatment and keep the tooth healthy.

We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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