Few phrases in dentistry provoke as much anxiety as "you need a root canal." For decades, root canal treatment has had a fearsome reputation — conjuring images of agonising procedures and days of pain. The truth is almost the exact opposite. Modern root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than having a tooth filled, and it is the procedure that relieves severe pain, not causes it. Let us separate fact from fiction and give you an honest picture of what to expect.

Why Would You Need a Root Canal?

Inside every tooth, beneath the hard enamel and dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that help the tooth grow during development. When bacteria invade the pulp — usually through a deep cavity, a cracked tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth — the pulp becomes infected and inflamed.