A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and seals it, and lets you keep your own tooth instead of losing it.
Root canals are one of Dr. Vaishali’s areas of special interest. Most patients are surprised by how calm the visit feels. The pain they came in with is usually the worst part.
Is it right for you?
Root canal treatment usually helps with:
- A tooth that aches on its own, or wakes you up at night
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- A swelling or pimple on the gum near a tooth
- A deep cavity or crack that has reached the nerve
What happens, step by step
- 1DiagnosisWe examine the tooth, take an X-ray and explain exactly what’s happening before anything starts.
- 2NumbingLocal anaesthetic makes the tooth fully numb. We check before we begin and keep checking.
- 3Cleaning & shapingInfected tissue is removed, and the canals are disinfected and shaped.
- 4SealingThe canals are filled and sealed so bacteria can’t get back in.
- 5ProtectingMost back teeth then need a crown so the tooth doesn’t crack under chewing pressure.
Aftercare
- Mild tenderness for a few days is normal; simple painkillers usually help.
- Avoid chewing hard food on that side until the final crown is fitted.
- Brush and floss as usual. A treated tooth can still get decay at the edges.
Common questions
Is a root canal painful?
The treatment itself is done with the tooth numb, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. The infection you come in with is usually more painful than the procedure.
Wouldn’t it be simpler to remove the tooth?
Sometimes extraction is the right choice, and we’ll tell you if it is. Keeping your own tooth is usually better for chewing, for the neighbouring teeth and for your jawbone, and often costs less than replacing it later.
Do I always need a crown afterwards?
Back teeth almost always do, because they take the most chewing force. Front teeth sometimes manage with a filling. We’ll advise you after seeing the tooth.