What Really Happens During a Root Canal (and Why It Doesn’t Hurt)

“Root canal” is many people’s idea of a painful dental experience. The truth is the opposite: a root canal is what stops the pain of a deeply infected tooth, and modern techniques make the procedure itself comfortable.

Step by step

• The area is fully numbed, so you feel pressure but not pain
• The infected pulp inside the tooth is gently removed
• The canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected
• The tooth is sealed, then protected with a crown

Why save the tooth at all?

Your natural tooth is always the best option. Keeping it maintains your bite, prevents neighbouring teeth from shifting, and avoids the greater cost of extraction followed by an implant or bridge.

After your root canal

Most people return to normal activities the very next day. Some mild tenderness is normal for a day or two and settles quickly. Once the crown is placed, the tooth looks and works just like the others.