What Is Root Canal Therapy? Procedure, Benefits & Recovery Explained
Root canal therapy is one of the most common and effective dental treatments used to save a damaged or infected tooth. Despite its reputation for being painful, modern root canal treatment is a safe, comfortable procedure that relieves pain rather than causes it. Understanding what a root canal is, how the procedure works, its benefits, and what recovery looks like can help reduce fear and encourage timely dental care. What Is Root Canal Therapy? Root canal therapy is a dental procedure designed to treat infection or damage inside a tooth. Each tooth has a soft inner tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes infected due to deep decay, cracks, repeated dental procedures, or trauma, it can cause severe pain and swelling. The goal of root canal therapy is to remove the infected pulp, clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, and then seal it to prevent future infection. This allows the natural tooth to be preserved r...