Root Canal Treatment

What is root canal treatment and when is it needed?

Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp — containing nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria penetrate deep decay or a crack, the pulp becomes infected and inflamed, causing the severe toothache most people associate with dental emergencies. Root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the root canals, and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection — saving it from extraction.

Is root canal treatment painful?

This is the most common concern — and the most misunderstood. The pain patients remember is from the infection, not the treatment. Root canal therapy is performed under local anaesthesia, and most patients describe the experience as no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The procedure relieves the throbbing, severe pain of an abscessed tooth within hours of treatment.

What happens after root canal treatment?

Once the root canal is completed and sealed, the tooth needs to be protected from fracture — especially if it is a molar under heavy chewing pressure. Dr. Harshi will recommend a dental crown to cover the treated tooth and restore its full strength and appearance. A properly crowned root canal tooth can last a lifetime with regular care.

Why saving your natural tooth matters?

Extraction might seem like the simpler option, but losing a tooth sets off a chain of consequences — neighbouring teeth shift, the jawbone begins to deteriorate at the extraction site, and chewing function is affected. Your natural tooth, even one that has had root canal treatment, is always preferable to an artificial replacement. Root canal treatment is an investment in keeping what you were born with.

What the Treatment Involves