Root canal treatment is a dental procedure intended to save a damaged or infected tooth without removing it. This treatment helps to relieve pain while preserving the tooth’s natural function so it can continue to work properly.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is a dentist-performed procedure to save a tooth with a severe pulp infection or injury.

Each tooth contains one to four narrow canals that run from the crown to the root. Inside these canals lies the pulp, a tissue made up of nerves and blood vessels that keeps the tooth vital. When a tooth is affected by deep decay, trauma, or a crack, bacteria can enter and infect the pulp.

Pulp infections do not resolve on their own and cannot be managed with antibiotics alone. For this reason, the dentist removes the infected pulp, carefully cleans the root canals, fills them with a sterile material, and seals the tooth with a temporary or permanent restoration.

Why Root Canal Treatment Matters

Root canal treatment is essential for maintaining oral health. Without treatment, the infection in the pulp can spread to tissues around the root and form an abscess (a pocket of pus), which can be very painful.

An abscess not only causes intense pain but also carries the risk of spreading infection to other parts of the body and becoming a serious condition. If care is delayed, the affected tooth often needs extraction. Losing a tooth can affect chewing, appearance, and the health of nearby teeth and gums.

These are key benefits of root canal treatment:

Relieves pain and clears infection

Pain from tooth decay or infection that you can experience from drinking hot or cold beverages, sudden nocturnal pain, or swollen gums can subside once the infected pulp is removed during root canal treatment.

Preserves the tooth

Teeth in good condition can help you chew food effectively, maintain a balanced facial profile, and prevent shifting of nearby healthy teeth. With root canal treatment, the natural tooth can be kept in place and function well for a longer time.

Prevents further complications

Root canal treatment not only removes infection but also protects the tissues surrounding the tooth. If an infection is ignored, bacteria can spread to the jawbone, gums, and even other parts of the body through the bloodstream. This can result in abscesses, facial swelling, and serious systemic infections.

A safe, comfortable procedure

Many people still believe root canal treatment is painful. With modern techniques and local anesthesia, the procedure is generally comfortable. Most discomfort is limited to the initial anesthetic injection.

After treatment, some patients may feel mild soreness or sensitivity in the treated tooth, but this is temporary and can be controlled with pain relievers.

Root canal treatment not only relieves pain but also supports the tooth’s long-term health and function. With the right approach, a damaged tooth can be saved without extraction.

If you notice symptoms such as severe pain, swollen gums, or lingering sensitivity, see a dentist promptly or use the consultation feature in the Ai Care app on the App Store and Play Store.

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