Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is a dental treatment used to save a tooth that is badly damaged or infected. Instead of removing the tooth, the infected tissue inside the tooth is removed, the canal is cleansed and disinfected and then sealed. The tooth is then restored so that it can function normally again.
What Happens in a Root Canal?
- Access: The dentist makes a small opening in the tooth.
- Cleaning: The infected or damaged pulp (the soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth) is removed.
- Shaping & Disinfection: The canals inside the roots are carefully cleaned, shaped, and disinfected.
- Filling & Sealing: The canals are filled with a safe material to prevent reinfection.
- Restoration: Often, a crown is placed on the tooth afterward to restore strength and function.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal?
- Deep decay (large cavity) that reaches the pulp.
- Infection or abscess at the root of the tooth.
- Cracked or broken tooth that extends into the pulp.
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth that has weakened it.
- Severe tooth pain or sensitivity (especially to hot/cold or chewing).
Benefits of a Root Canal
- Saves your natural tooth.
- Relieves pain and infection.
- Prevents the infection from spreading to other teeth or the jaw.
- Restores normal chewing and appearance.
✨ In short: A root canal is a way to treat infection inside a tooth without losing it. It relieves pain, restores function, and helps you keep your natural smile.
How much do root canals cost?
There are many variables and factors that go into a full treatment plan (Is it a front tooth with one canal? Is it a back molar tooth with several roots? Will the tooth require a crown after the root canal treatment?) A good ballpark estimate for the cost of a root canal is between $800-$1500.