Careful, quick, and relatively pain-free — root canal therapy brings immediate relief and saves your natural tooth.
Root canals have an undeserved reputation. Modern root canal therapy is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling — and it relieves the severe pain of an infected tooth almost immediately. More importantly, it saves your natural tooth, which is always the best outcome for your long-term oral health.
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed — due to deep decay, a crack, or trauma — it causes significant pain and, if untreated, can lead to abscess and tooth loss. In a root canal procedure, the infected pulp is carefully removed, the space is cleaned and disinfected, and the tooth is sealed with medicated dental materials. The tooth is then restored with a crown to protect it and restore full function.
Wherever possible, saving your natural tooth is always the preferred outcome. Your natural tooth provides the best function for chewing, maintains the alignment of surrounding teeth, and preserves the jawbone beneath it. Extraction followed by an implant or bridge is more expensive, takes longer, and involves more procedures. A root canal — followed by a crown — keeps your natural tooth in place and functioning for many more years.
Most patients return to normal activities the day after a root canal. You may experience some tenderness in the area for a few days, which is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is placed. With proper care, a tooth that has had root canal therapy can last as long as your other natural teeth.
This is the most common concern — and the most misunderstood. Root canals don't cause pain; they relieve it. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you won't feel pain during treatment. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience is. The severe pain you feel before a root canal is from the infection — not the treatment.
Most root canals are completed in one or two appointments of 60–90 minutes each. The number of visits depends on the severity of the infection and the complexity of the tooth's root structure. We'll give you a clear timeline during your examination.
In most cases, yes. A tooth that has had root canal therapy is more brittle than a living tooth and is at higher risk of cracking. A crown protects the tooth and restores its full strength and appearance. We'll discuss whether a crown is necessary for your specific case.
An untreated infected tooth won't heal on its own. The infection will spread to surrounding bone and tissue, potentially causing an abscess. Eventually the tooth will need to be extracted. Leaving the gap untreated leads to bone loss and shifting of adjacent teeth. Treating the infection early with a root canal is always the better option.
With a proper crown and good oral hygiene, a root canal treated tooth can last a lifetime. Regular dental check-ups are important to monitor the tooth and ensure it remains healthy.