Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the canal, and seals it to prevent further infection — saving a tooth that would otherwise need extraction. With modern rotary instruments and effective local anaesthesia, the procedure is far more comfortable than its reputation suggests.
Most patients report feeling immediate relief from the pain that brought them in, as the source of infection is removed, and the tooth is protected with a filling or crown.