Root canal treatment is a procedure used to restore and salvage a badly infected or decayed tooth. A root canal procedure becomes imperative when the tooth nerve tissue or the pulp is infected or damaged. A root canal procedure includes the removal of the nerve tissue and pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the inner-most part of the tooth, and finally filling and sealing.

A root canal procedure is generally dreaded because it’s reputed to be quite painful. But, the truth, as reported by most patients, is that the procedure is just about as pain-free as having a filling placed. What is really painful is the tooth with infected nerve tissue and pulp, before dental intervention is sought, and not the actual root canal treatment.