Root Canal Treatment Cost (RCT) in Tamil Nadu: Types, Procedure & Best Dentist

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment (also known as endodontic treatment) is a specialized dental procedure designed to treat infection, inflammation, or damage deep inside the tooth.

Inside every tooth is a soft central area called the pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes infected or damaged due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or trauma, a root canal is performed to save the tooth.

During the procedure, the dentist or endodontist carefully removes the diseased pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the root canals, and then fills and seals the space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Usually, a dental crown is placed afterward to restore the tooth's full strength and function.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Needed?

A root canal is needed when the pulp inside the tooth becomes irreversibly damaged, inflamed, or infected. If left untreated, the infection can spread, cause severe pain, or lead to a painful abscess (a pus-filled pocket at the root tip).

Common indicators and reasons why the treatment is necessary include:

• Severe Toothache: Spontaneous, throbbing pain that worsens when chewing or applying pressure.

• Prolonged Sensitivity: Intense or lingering pain when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks, even after the source is removed.

• Deep Decay or Cavities: Decay that has penetrated completely through the outer enamel and dentin layers to reach the living pulp chamber.

• Tooth Trauma or Fracture: A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth from an injury that exposes the inner nerve to bacteria.

• Swelling and Tenderness: Swollen, tender, or inflamed gums near the affected tooth, sometimes accompanied by a small pimple-like bump (fistula) on the gum line draining pus.

• Tooth Discoloration: A tooth that has turned dark or gray due to nerve death or internal trauma.