Root canals have a reputation they don't deserve. Here's what the procedure actually involves — and why it relieves pain rather than causing it.
Few dental procedures have a worse reputation than root canal treatment — usually thanks to a friend's exaggerated story rather than firsthand experience. In reality, modern root canal treatment is comparable to having a filling, and its whole purpose is to take pain away, not cause it.
A root canal becomes necessary when the soft tissue inside a tooth — the pulp — becomes infected or inflamed, usually from deep decay or a crack. That infection is what causes the throbbing pain people associate with needing the procedure in the first place.
During treatment, the infected pulp is carefully removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and the space is sealed to prevent further infection. Local anaesthetic keeps the area numb throughout, in the same way it would for a filling.
Afterwards, some mild tenderness for a few days is normal as the surrounding tissue settles — this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients are surprised at how straightforward the recovery is compared to what they expected.
Often we recommend a crown after root canal treatment on back teeth, because the tooth can be more brittle once the pulp is gone. Protecting it helps you keep the tooth for many more years.
The alternative to root canal treatment is usually extraction, which brings its own complications like bone loss and the need for a bridge or implant later. Saving your natural tooth, when possible, is almost always the better long-term outcome.
Written by
Dr. Rajesh Patel
Associate Dentist at Larkfield Dental Aesthetics
