Root canals are intricate passageways branching off from beneath the tooth’s surface, extending vertically downward to the tip of the root.

Each tooth typically has between one and four root canals. Infections affecting the pulp, the inner chamber containing blood vessels, nerves, and tissues, often lead to tooth problems. Traumatic injuries can also compromise the pulp, causing similar issues.

A diseased inner tooth manifests problems such as pain and sensitivity as initial signs. As the infection progresses, small pus pockets may develop, leading to an abscess.

Root canal therapy is a highly successful treatment, involving the removal of diseased tissue, cessation of infection spread, and restoration of the healthy portion of the tooth. This procedure aims to preserve a compromised tooth, offering a crucial alternative to tooth extraction, which was the sole option before root canal therapy gained acceptance.

Procedure

Root canal therapy typically spans one to three visits. In the initial visit, a small hole is drilled through the tooth’s top into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is extracted, and the inner chamber and canals are thoroughly cleansed, disinfected, and reshaped. Elastic material and medication are used to fill the cleaned chamber and canals, preventing infection. If needed, the drilled hole is temporarily filled until a permanent seal with a crown is established.

Most patients undergoing root canal therapy report minimal discomfort or pain. The result is a restored tooth that can endure almost as long as its originally healthy state.