Root canal treatment repairs and saves a badly damaged or infected tooth. The term ‘root canal’ comes from cleaning of the canals inside a tooth’s root. With advancement in dentistry over the last decade or so, most people now experience minimal pain, if any, with a advanced root canal treatment.
The relatively painless and effective treatment helps maintain your smile, eat all types of food, and minimizes the need for any ongoing dental work. It is a very effective and painless treatment that can get you back to smiling, biting and chewing the food you love with ease in no time.
Since patients are given anesthesia, a root canal isn't more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling or wisdom tooth removal. However, mild soreness or discomfort may occur for a few days after the procedure.
Most patients recover quickly. Numbness lasts 2–4 hours, and you can return to work or school the same day. Avoid eating until the numbness fully wears off.
Cost depends on the tooth and complexity. Molars cost more due to difficulty. Insurance often covers part of the treatment.
Root canal treatment and restoration are usually more affordable than extracting and replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge, which can be costlier in the long run.