Sri ShankaraDental Clinic

Root canal treatment

Treatment that saves a badly decayed or infected tooth by cleaning and sealing the canal inside it, so the tooth can stay in place.

Typical appointment
60–90 minutes, sometimes across two visits

What it is

A root canal treats infection inside the pulp — the soft tissue in the centre of a tooth that holds its nerve and blood supply. The dentist removes the infected tissue, cleans and shapes the canal, then seals it. The tooth stays in place rather than being extracted.

  • Persistent toothache, especially pain that wakes you at night
  • Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold after the source is removed
  • A darkening tooth
  • Swelling or tenderness in the gum near a tooth
  • A deep cavity or a crack that has reached the pulp

An examination and an X-ray are needed to confirm whether the pulp is involved. Not every toothache needs a root canal.

Will it hurt?

This is the question almost everyone asks, so here is a straight answer.

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. Once the tooth and the surrounding area are numb you should not feel pain during treatment — pressure and vibration, yes, but not pain. Tell the dentist if you feel anything sharp and more anaesthetic can be given.

Much of the reputation root canals have comes from the toothache that sends people to the clinic in the first place. The treatment is what relieves that pain, not what causes it.

Afterwards, some tenderness when biting for a few days is normal while the tissue around the root tip settles. Ordinary pain relief taken as directed is usually enough. Contact the clinic if pain worsens rather than easing.

What the appointment involves

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. The dentist opens the top of the tooth, removes the infected pulp, cleans the canals, and fills them with a sealing material. A temporary filling closes the tooth. Most back teeth are then fitted with a crown at a later visit, because a treated tooth is more brittle and benefits from full coverage.

Afterwards

Some tenderness when biting for a few days is common and usually settles with ordinary pain relief. Eat on the other side until the permanent restoration is placed. Contact the clinic if swelling increases, or if pain worsens rather than easing.

Alternatives

The main alternative is extraction, followed by a bridge, an implant or a denture to replace the missing tooth. Which option suits you depends on how much sound tooth structure remains, the state of the surrounding bone, and your own preferences. The dentist will go through these with you before you decide.

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