A root canal is a dental procedure designed to save a severely damaged or infected tooth. When the pulp inside your tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, cracks, or trauma, it can cause severe pain and swelling. A root canal treatment removes this infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it with a filling to prevent further issues.

The procedure is often misunderstood as being painful, but with modern techniques and anesthesia, it’s usually no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. In fact, a root canal is meant to relieve the intense pain caused by the infection, restoring your tooth’s function and appearance without the need for extraction.