Root canal treatment – often called RCT by dentists – is a procedure that many patients fear. But did you know that it’s one of the most common and effective treatments to save a tooth? In fact, over 15 million root canal treatments are performed globally every year. Endodontic specialists (root canal experts) like us at Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics routinely perform these procedures, ensuring that our patients are in safe, experienced hands. Despite its popularity, myths and fears about root canals still persist. In this article, we’ll break down the root canal procedure step-by-step, explain why it’s needed, and help you understand why there’s no reason to fear this procedure.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal treatment (RCT) is a dental procedure used to treat an infected or damaged tooth. Every tooth has a soft tissue at its core, called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected or damaged due to deep decay, cracks, or injury, it can cause intense pain. The goal of a root canal is to remove the infected pulp, clean out the root canals, and fill them to prevent further infection. The tooth is then sealed with a crown or filling to restore its function. The best part? Root canal treatment helps preserve your natural tooth instead of extracting it, allowing you to keep your smile intact.
Why Is a Root Canal Necessary?
A root canal is typically needed when decay or infection has reached the innermost part of the tooth, where the nerves are located. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone and cause more serious complications like abscesses. Without a root canal, the tooth may need to be extracted. However, saving the natural tooth with an RCT is the better option for both oral health and long-term function. In India, the increasing awareness of root canal treatment has led to more patients opting for this procedure rather than tooth extraction .
What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal procedure is essentially a deep cleaning and repair of an infected tooth – all done to save the tooth rather than remove it. Here’s a simple breakdown of the root canal treatment steps:
- Numbing the Tooth: The dentist first applies a local anesthetic to the affected area. This numbs the tooth and surrounding tissue, ensuring that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- Removing the Infected Pulp: A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth, and the infected or dead pulp is carefully removed. This step is done with precision to ensure that all the infection is cleared.
- Cleaning the Canals: After the pulp is removed, the dentist cleans and disinfects the root canals to remove any remaining bacteria. Tiny instruments are used to ensure the canals are thoroughly cleaned.
- Filling the Root Canal: Once cleaned, the canals are filled with a biocompatible material which seals the area and prevents reinfection.
- Restoring the Tooth: After the root canal, a crown or permanent filling is placed to protect and strengthen the tooth. This restores the tooth to its normal function and appearance, allowing you to chew and smile confidently once again.
The process typically completed in one session at Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, depending on the complexity of the case. Advanced tools, such as digital X-rays and rotary instruments, make the procedure efficient and precise, ensuring a quicker recovery time. The end result is a saved tooth – no extraction needed – and relief from pain.
Does a Root Canal Procedure Hurt? (Root Canal Pain Myths vs Reality)
One of the most common questions patients have about root canal pain: “Will it hurt?” The good news is that modern root canal treatment is virtually painless. Thanks to effective anesthesia and improved techniques we use at Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, you won’t experience any more pain than getting a regular cavity filling done. Decades ago, root canals had a reputation for pain, but dentistry has come a long way since then.
In reality, a root canal relieves the pain caused by the infected tooth. The procedure removes the infected nerve that’s causing your toothache, providing almost immediate relief once the anesthesia wears off. As the Mayo Clinic notes, it’s often more painful to live with a decayed, abscessed tooth than to have a root canal done. Many Indian patients are pleasantly surprised after their RCT – they walk out of the clinic pain-free, wondering why they feared it so much.
It’s also worth noting that we take special care to keep you comfortable. If you’re nervous about the injection for numbing, don’t worry – the pinch is minor and very quick. We even use numbing gel on the gum first to make the injection virtually unnoticeable. Throughout the procedure, the dentist will ensure you’re sufficiently numb. If you feel any discomfort, you can signal to pause – but that scenario is rare. In short, root canal pain is a myth – modern RCT eliminates pain rather than causing it.
Why You Shouldn’t Fear Root Canal Treatment
Despite its effectiveness, root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, complicated, or scary. However, at Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, we ensure that root canals are performed gently and efficiently, making sure you’re comfortable throughout the entire process. The truth is, modern root canal therapy has a high success rate (over 95%) and provides long-term relief.
Myths surrounding root canals often create unnecessary fear. We encourage you to read more about these myths and learn the truth in our next article, where we will debunk the common misconceptions about root canal treatment.
Your Smile is Most Important to Us
At Sree Venkateswara Dental Clinics, we’ve been performing root canal treatments for over 50 years with exceptional care and success. In fact, we have completed over 15,000 root canals in our clinic, helping countless patients preserve their natural teeth and maintain optimal oral health. If you’re dealing with tooth pain or think you might need a root canal, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We are here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you get the relief you deserve. Let’s get your smile back to its healthy best!
