What happens during a root canal, when you need one, how much it costs in India, whether it hurts and how to recover. Everything patients ask before RCT, answered clearly.
A root canal treatment (RCT) saves a tooth whose nerve has become infected or inflamed. It is one of the most common dental procedures in India and, with modern anaesthesia, one of the most misunderstood: it relieves pain rather than causing it.
A molar root canal usually takes two or three sittings of 45 to 90 minutes.
When do you need a root canal?
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, a crack or an injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed and eventually dies, leading to infection at the root tip. Signs that you may need an RCT include:
- Severe toothache, especially when chewing or at night
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts after the stimulus is removed
- Swelling or a pimple-like boil on the gum
- A tooth that has darkened
- Pain that comes and goes for weeks
Your dentist confirms the diagnosis with an X-ray and simple tests. If you have these symptoms, see a dentist promptly; an untreated infection can spread.
The procedure, step by step
- Anaesthesia. The tooth is numbed completely with a local anaesthetic.
- Access. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber.
- Cleaning and shaping. The infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped with fine instruments. Most clinics now use rotary instruments and an apex locator for precision.
- Filling. The canals are sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.
- Restoration. The opening is filled, and a crown is usually placed within a few weeks to protect the tooth from fracture.
A front tooth may be completed in one sitting; a molar with three or four canals often needs two or three visits of 45-90 minutes each.
Does a root canal hurt?
With effective local anaesthesia, the procedure itself is no more uncomfortable than a filling. Mild soreness for two or three days afterwards is normal and responds to ordinary painkillers. The toothache you came in with usually disappears immediately.
Cost of root canal treatment in India
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|
| Root canal, front tooth | INR 3,000 - 7,000 |
| Root canal, premolar | INR 4,000 - 9,000 |
| Root canal, molar | INR 5,000 - 12,000 |
| Re-treatment of a failed RCT | INR 6,000 - 15,000 |
| Crown after RCT (metal to zirconia) | INR 4,000 - 20,000 |
Fees depend on the city, whether a specialist endodontist treats you, and the crown material. See indicative prices by city on our root canal treatment page.
Root canal or extraction?
Keeping your natural tooth is almost always better. A root-canal-treated tooth with a crown can last decades, while an extraction leads to bone loss, shifting of neighbouring teeth and the cost of an implant or bridge later. Extraction is only preferred when the tooth is too broken down or cracked to restore.
Recovery and after-care
- Avoid chewing on the tooth until the crown is fitted.
- Take the painkillers or antibiotics prescribed, and complete the course.
- Brush and floss normally; the treated tooth still needs protection from decay.
- Contact the clinic if pain or swelling worsens after three days.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a root canal last?
With a well-fitting crown and good hygiene, most last 15-20 years or longer.
Is a crown always needed?
For back teeth, yes: they take heavy chewing forces and are prone to fracture after RCT. Some front teeth can be restored with a filling alone.
Can a root canal be done in one visit?
Often, when there is no active infection. Your dentist will decide after examining the tooth.
Find an endodontist or dentist for root canal treatment near you on Dentavya.