Root canal treatment saves teeth. It is not something to fear.
“Root canal” is one of the most dreaded phrases in dentistry, but the reputation is far worse than the reality. Modern root canal treatment is done under local anaesthesia, and its main purpose is to relieve pain and save your natural tooth from extraction.
At Sushma Memorial Super Specialty Dental Hospital, we have provided dental care since 2006. Our endodontic care focuses on saving natural teeth, with careful diagnosis, gentle treatment and clear explanations at every step.
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp runs from the crown (the visible part) down through narrow channels in the roots, called root canals.
When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, usually because of deep decay, a crack or an injury, it cannot heal on its own. Root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment or RCT) removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth and seals it, so that you can keep the tooth.
Why Save the Natural Tooth?
Whenever possible, keeping your own tooth is the best option because:
- It works naturally for chewing and biting
- It keeps your smile and bite intact
- It protects the jawbone and neighbouring teeth
- It usually costs less and takes less time than extraction followed by replacement
- It avoids the need for an implant, bridge or denture
If a tooth is extracted, it is generally advisable to replace it. See Replacement of Missing Teeth.
What Causes the Pulp to Become Infected?
- Deep tooth decay that reaches the pulp
- A cracked, chipped or broken tooth that lets bacteria in
- Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
- Large or leaking fillings and crowns
- A blow or injury to a tooth, even when it doesn’t look damaged
- Advanced gum disease in some cases. See Gum Treatment & Periodontics
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Severe, throbbing toothache, especially at night
- Lingering pain or sensitivity to hot or cold that stays after the stimulus is gone
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Swelling or tenderness of the gum near the tooth
- A pimple-like bump (abscess) on the gum
- Darkening or discolouration of the tooth
- Facial swelling
- A bad taste or smell in the mouth
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all, and the problem is only found on an X-ray. That’s why regular check-ups matter.
Seek urgent care if you have facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
How Is the Need for a Root Canal Diagnosed?
Your dentist will:
- Ask about your symptoms and when the pain began
- Examine the tooth and gums, checking for swelling, tenderness and cracks
- Test the tooth with gentle tapping and sensitivity tests
- Take a dental X-ray to see the roots, the bone around them and any signs of infection
This tells us whether root canal treatment is suitable, or whether the tooth can’t be saved.
The Root Canal Procedure, Step by Step
Treatment is usually done under local anaesthesia, so the tooth and surrounding area are numb. Most root canals take one to a few visits, depending on the tooth and the infection.
Step 1: Anaesthesia. The area is numbed so you feel comfortable.
Step 2: Isolation. A thin protective sheet is placed around the tooth to keep it clean and dry.
Step 3: Access. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp.
Step 4: Removing the pulp. The infected or damaged pulp is carefully removed.
Step 5: Cleaning and shaping. The root canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped, using fine instruments and disinfecting solutions.
Step 6: Filling the canals. The cleaned canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material to stop bacteria from returning.
Step 7: Temporary or permanent filling. The access opening is sealed. If more than one visit is needed, medicine may be placed in the canals between visits.
Step 8: Final restoration. A root-canal-treated tooth needs a proper filling or, often, a crown, to protect it from fracture. See Restorative Treatment.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
This is the most common concern. In reality:
- The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment. You may feel pressure or vibration.
- Most of the pain people associate with root canals comes from the infection before treatment, and treatment is meant to relieve it.
- After treatment, mild soreness or tenderness is common for a few days, and can usually be managed with the medicines your dentist advises.
If you feel discomfort during treatment, tell your dentist so that they can top up the anaesthetic.
Aftercare: What to Do After a Root Canal
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has its final filling or crown
- Take medicines as prescribed
- Eat soft foods for the first day or two
- Keep brushing and flossing normally, gently around the tooth
- Attend all follow-up visits, especially for the final restoration. Leaving a root-canal-treated tooth without a proper restoration raises the risk of reinfection and breakage
- Call us if you have severe pain, swelling, a returning bite problem or an allergic reaction
How Long Does a Root Canal-Treated Tooth Last?
With a good seal, a proper final restoration and good oral hygiene, a root-canal-treated tooth can last for many years, often a lifetime. The tooth no longer has a nerve, but it is still held in the jaw by its roots and the surrounding bone, so it still needs brushing, flossing and regular check-ups.
When Might a Root Canal Fail?
Root canals have a high success rate, but occasionally a tooth can become infected again. Reasons include:
- Hidden or complex root canals that are difficult to clean fully
- A delay in placing the final restoration, letting bacteria leak in
- A new cavity or fracture in the tooth
- A crack in the root
If a root canal does not heal, options may include retreatment, a minor surgical procedure called apicoectomy, or extraction in some cases. Your dentist will explain what suits you. See Oral Surgeries.
Root Canal vs Extraction
| Root Canal Treatment | Extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps natural tooth | Yes | No |
| Pain relief | Yes | Yes |
| Needs replacement later | No | Usually advised |
| Protects jawbone and neighbours | Yes | No, unless replaced |
| Typical total cost | Often lower overall | Higher if replaced with an implant or bridge |
If the tooth is too damaged to save, extraction and replacement may be the best option. Your dentist will give honest advice.
Root Canal Treatment for Children
Baby teeth can also develop deep decay that reaches the pulp. A child-friendly version, often called a pulpotomy or pulpectomy, can save the baby tooth until it falls out naturally, and helps keep space for the permanent tooth. See Pediatric & Kids Dentistry.
Protecting a Root-Canal-Treated Tooth
- Get a crown if advised, especially for back teeth that take heavy chewing forces
- Avoid biting hard objects such as ice and hard candy
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. See Night Guard
- Maintain good hygiene and visit your dentist every six months
Preventing the Need for a Root Canal
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks
- Treat cavities early, before they reach the pulp
- Wear a mouthguard during contact sports
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups
What Affects the Cost of a Root Canal?
- Which tooth is being treated (front teeth have one canal, back teeth have several)
- How complex the canals and infection are
- The number of visits needed
- The final restoration, such as a filling or crown
- Whether retreatment is needed
We give a clear estimate before starting. Compared with extraction and replacement, root canal treatment is often a better-value way to keep your tooth.
Myths About Root Canal Treatment
“Root canals are very painful.”
They are done under anaesthesia, and they relieve the pain caused by infection.
“It’s better to pull the tooth.”
Saving a natural tooth is generally preferable when it can be restored, because replacements are more costly and complex.
“A root canal makes you ill.”
There is no reliable scientific evidence for this old claim. A root canal removes infection rather than causing it.
“If the pain goes away, I don’t need treatment.”
Pain can stop when the nerve dies, but the infection can remain and spread. See your dentist.
“A root-canal-treated tooth is dead and useless.”
It is still anchored in the jaw and can function for many years with proper care.
Hygiene and Safety at Sushma Dental
We follow a structured sterilisation process:
- Instruments are cleaned before sterilisation
- Instrument packs are sterilised and checked with integrator strips that monitor temperature and steam penetration
- Only distilled or filtered water is used in dental chairs
- Surfaces are disinfected after every patient
- Dental waste is disposed of through a biomedical waste system
Why Choose Sushma Dental for Root Canal Treatment?
- Experience since 2006 in a multi-branch dental hospital
- A focus on endodontic care that saves natural teeth
- Specialists in every branch of dentistry, so crowns, gum care or surgery can be coordinated if needed
- In-house dental X-rays for accurate diagnosis
- Gentle treatment with clear explanations
- Affordable care at convenient branches in Jalandhar, Phagwara and Kapurthala
Our Branches
Jalandhar
- Opposite Curo Mall, 66 Feet Road
- Talan Road, near Punjab & Sind Bank, Rama Mandi
Phagwara
- Near Civil Hospital, Chahal Nagar
- Adarsh Nagar
Kapurthala
- GT Road, near PNB Bank, Kala Sanghia
Phone: +91 80544 04325
Email: sushmadentaljld@gmail.com
Book Your Consultation
Don’t live with tooth pain. Call us on +91 80544 04325 or book an appointment. Learn more about us on the About Us page or browse all treatments on the Services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a root canal treatment?
It is a procedure that removes the infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the root canals and saves the tooth from extraction.
2. Is root canal treatment painful?
It is done under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during it. Mild soreness afterwards is common and temporary.
3. How many visits does a root canal need?
Often one to three visits, depending on the tooth and the infection.
4. Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often yes, especially for back teeth, because a root-canal-treated tooth can be more prone to fracture. Your dentist will advise.
5. Can I eat after a root canal?
Wait until the numbness wears off. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has its final restoration, and choose soft foods at first.
6. How long does a root canal last?
With a proper restoration and good care, many last for many years or even a lifetime.
7. What happens if I don’t have a root canal?
The infection can spread, causing an abscess, bone loss, swelling and the loss of the tooth. Untreated infection can become serious.
8. Can a root canal be done in one visit?
In some cases, yes. Others need more visits, for example when there is a significant infection.
9. Can a root canal be repeated if it fails?
Often yes. Retreatment or a minor surgical procedure may save the tooth.
10. Is it safe to have a root canal if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?
Usually yes, when well controlled. Please tell your dentist about your medical history and medicines.
11. Do baby teeth need root canal treatment?
Sometimes a child-friendly version can save a decayed baby tooth until it falls out naturally.
12. How much does a root canal cost in Jalandhar?
It depends on the tooth, the complexity and the final restoration. We give you a clear estimate after examination and X-rays.
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