Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure used to treat infection at the center of a tooth (the root canal system). Here’s an overview of what typically happens during root canal therapy:

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1. Diagnosis: The dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays to determine the extent of infection and assess the shape of the root canals.

2. Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area around the tooth, ensuring the procedure is pain-free.

3. Access: The dentist creates a small opening in the tooth’s crown to access the infected pulp and root canals.

4. Cleaning: Using small instruments, the dentist removes the infected and diseased pulp tissue from the tooth’s interior and cleans the root canals thoroughly to remove bacteria and debris.

5. Shaping: The root canals are shaped using fine instruments to prepare them for filling.

6. Filling: The cleaned and shaped root canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to seal them and prevent further infection.

7. Sealing: A temporary or permanent filling is placed in the opening created at the beginning of the procedure to seal the tooth.

8. Restoration: In most cases, a crown is placed over the tooth to protect it and restore its function, especially if a significant portion of the tooth structure has been removed to access the root canals.

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Root canal therapy is effective in saving teeth that would otherwise require extraction due to infection or severe damage to the pulp. It relieves pain and allows the tooth to function normally for many years with proper care.