Root canals

What it is

A root canal treats infection inside a tooth. The damaged inner tissue is removed, the space is cleaned and sealed, and the natural tooth is kept rather than taken out.

What to expect

• The area is numbed so you're comfortable throughout
• The infected tissue is removed and the canals cleaned and sealed
• The tooth is often protected afterwards with a crown

Good to know

Root canal treatment is done to relieve pain and save your tooth. Modern techniques make it far more comfortable than its reputation suggests — and we'll explain each step before we begin.