Root canal treatment has an undeserved reputation. For many patients, the procedure is no more uncomfortable than having a filling — and it offers the opportunity to save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction. Understanding what the treatment involves can help reduce anxiety and support an informed decision.

When root canal treatment may be appropriate
Your dentist may recommend root canal treatment when the nerve (pulp) inside a tooth has become irreversibly inflamed or infected — typically due to deep decay, a crack, or trauma to the tooth. Symptoms may include severe persistent toothache, lingering sensitivity to temperature, pain on biting, gum swelling, or in some cases no symptoms at all (detected on X-ray).

What the procedure involves
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic. Your dentist removes the inflamed or infected tissue from inside the tooth’s root canal system, cleans and shapes the canals, and seals them with a biocompatible filling material. The tooth is then restored — usually with a crown — to protect it from fracture.

Does it hurt?
The procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthetic and should not be painful. Some post-treatment tenderness for a few days is normal and usually managed with standard over-the-counter pain relief. Many patients report that the treatment was far less uncomfortable than they anticipated.

What happens if root canal treatment is not done?
If an infected or irreversibly inflamed tooth is not treated, the infection can spread to surrounding bone and tissue. Extraction of the tooth is the main alternative to root canal treatment. Extraction leaves a gap which — if not replaced — can cause adjacent teeth to drift, bite changes and bone loss over time.

After the treatment
Following root canal treatment, the tooth is typically restored with a crown to provide structural protection. The treated tooth requires the same care as any other tooth — good oral hygiene and regular hygiene appointments. The long-term prognosis of a root-treated tooth depends on many individual factors.