Additional Care
Root CanalTherapy
Modern root canal therapy is virtually painless — a gentle, effective procedure that saves severely infected teeth and provides immediate relief from tooth pain.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Save Your Tooth. End the Pain.
Root canal therapy — formally known as endodontic treatment — is a procedure designed to save a tooth whose inner pulp tissue has become infected or severely inflamed. Inside every tooth, beneath the hard enamel and dentin, lies the pulp: a soft tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When bacteria enter the pulp through a deep cavity, crack, or traumatic injury, infection develops. Left untreated, this infection spreads to the surrounding bone, can cause a painful abscess, and may ultimately require the tooth to be extracted entirely.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp tissue, thoroughly cleans and disinfects the inner canals of the tooth, and seals them to prevent reinfection. The procedure has a largely undeserved reputation for being painful — in reality, it relieves the severe pain caused by the infection. With modern anesthetic techniques, rotary instrumentation, and a gentle approach, most patients at Dentistry on Norfolk South find root canal treatment no more uncomfortable than getting a routine filling. Following treatment, the tooth is typically restored with a crown to protect it long-term.
Key Benefits
- Severe, persistent toothache — especially throbbing pain that worsens when lying down
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers for minutes after the stimulus is removed
- Darkening or discolouration of a tooth compared to the surrounding teeth
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum tissue around a specific tooth
- A recurring pimple or bump on the gum (dental abscess) that may drain and then return
Why Choose This Treatment
The Advantages
Saves Your Natural Tooth
Root canal therapy preserves your natural tooth, avoiding the need for extraction and replacement. Keeping your natural tooth is always the ideal outcome for long-term bite function and bone health.
Immediate Pain Relief
Removing the infected pulp eliminates the source of severe dental pain. Most patients feel dramatically better immediately following the procedure — root canal treatment ends the pain, it does not cause it.
Prevents Spread of Infection
Dental infections do not resolve on their own. Left untreated, they spread to surrounding bone and adjacent teeth. Root canal therapy eliminates the infection at its source before serious complications develop.
Quick Return to Normal
Most patients return to their normal routine the day after a root canal. The post-treatment sensitivity is mild and short-lived. Once the final crown is placed, the tooth looks and functions just like any other tooth in your mouth.
Is This Right for You?
Do You Need a Root Canal?
During your consultation, Dr. Khurana will assess your individual needs and determine if this treatment is the right fit for you.
Schedule a Consultation- Severe, persistent toothache that does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication or worsens when lying down or bending forward
- A tooth that is highly sensitive to heat or cold — particularly if the sensitivity lingers for more than a few seconds after the source is removed
- A tooth that has become visibly darker or discoloured compared to adjacent teeth, which can indicate that the pulp tissue inside has died
- Visible swelling of the gum around a tooth, a dental abscess, or facial swelling — signs that infection has spread beyond the tooth itself
What to Expect
The Treatment Process
Exam & X-ray
Dr. Khurana examines the affected tooth and takes digital X-rays to assess the extent of infection, the shape of the root canals, and the condition of the surrounding bone. This gives us a complete picture before treatment begins.
Anesthesia & Comfort
Local anesthesia is administered to completely numb the tooth and surrounding area. We take the time to ensure you are fully comfortable before starting. Sedation options are available for patients with dental anxiety. A rubber dam is placed to keep the area clean and dry throughout the procedure.
Cleaning & Shaping
A small access opening is made in the crown of the tooth. Using precision rotary instruments, the infected pulp tissue is carefully removed, the canals are shaped and enlarged, and the entire interior is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with antimicrobial irrigation to eliminate all bacteria.
Sealing & Crown
The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and sealed with dental cement to prevent reinfection. A temporary filling protects the tooth between appointments. At the final visit, a custom-fitted porcelain crown is placed to restore the tooth's full strength and natural appearance.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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