Root Canal Therapy is a dental treatment to save and repair badly damaged or infected tooth. The procedure involves removing the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it and then filling and sealing it. The common causes affecting the pulp are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, repeated dental treatment to the tooth or trauma. The term "root canal" comes from cleaning of the canals inside the tooth's root.

If a dentist suspects you may need a root canal, he will first take X-rays or examine existing X-rays to show where the decay is located. Next, local anesthesia is administered to the affected tooth. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal is not more painful than a filling. Then, an opening is made and the diseased tooth pulp is removed. Finally, the roots that have been opened are filled with gutta-percha material and sealed off with cement.

With care and attention, a tooth treated with a root canal can stay healthy for the rest of your life. Call us to know whether Root Canal Therapy is the right treatment for your dental needs.