If you have severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling around a tooth, it could mean the nerve inside your tooth is infected or damaged. Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When this pulp gets infected—usually from a deep cavity, crack, or injury—it can cause intense pain and lead to tooth loss if untreated.

A root canal treatment (also called endodontic therapy) is a safe and common dental procedure that removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and then seals it to prevent future problems.

Here’s how it works in plain language:

1. Numbing the tooth – We make sure you’re completely comfortable with local anesthesia so you won’t feel pain during the procedure.

2. Opening the tooth – A small opening is made so we can reach the damaged pulp inside.

3. Cleaning the canals – Using gentle, precise tools, we remove the infection and bacteria from the tiny canals inside the roots of your tooth.

4. Sealing the tooth – The canals are filled and sealed to protect the tooth from new infection.

5. Restoring the tooth – Often, a dental crown is placed on top to make the tooth strong and look natural again.

Root canals have a bad reputation, but with modern technology, they’re typically no more uncomfortable than getting a regular filling—and they can save your natural tooth for many years.

At River Street Family Dental in Mattapan, we use advanced equipment and gentle techniques to make root canal therapy quick, comfortable, and effective. We proudly serve patients from Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, and the greater Boston area, offering same-day crowns and emergency dental care for urgent cases.

If you’re experiencing toothache, swelling, or extreme sensitivity, don’t wait—the sooner we treat it, the better your chances of keeping your natural smile. Call us today at (617) 322-9773 to schedule your root canal consultation.