Conventional root canal
Removes the infected pulp and seals the canals; the tooth is then protected with a crown.
Root canal treatment in Alwarpet, Chennai
Root canal treatment (RCT) in Alwarpet, Chennai
Root canal treatment at Edge Dental Care, Alwarpet, saves an infected or badly decayed tooth by removing the infected pulp (the soft inside of the tooth), cleaning the root canals and sealing them, so you keep your natural tooth and the toothache usually settles. The tooth is numbed first, and it takes one or two visits by Dr. Vaishnavi Karthikeyan, MDS.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vaishnavi Karthikeyan, MDS. Last reviewed November 2026.
Keep your own tooth and ease the toothache, in Alwarpet
Root canal treatment in Alwarpet at Edge Dental Care removes the infection and saves your natural tooth. A toothache from decay or infection can make it hard to eat, sleep or smile. Instead of losing the tooth, the damaged pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and sealed.
Keeping your own tooth keeps your chewing strength, protects the teeth around it and avoids the cost of replacing it. The tooth is fully numbed before we begin, and every step is explained as it happens. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain.
Quick facts
- Visits
- 1 to 2, plus a crown visit
- Time per visit
- 45 to 90 minutes
- Numbing
- Numbing injection; the tooth is fully numb
- Recovery
- 1 to 3 days of mild tenderness
- How long it lasts
- Many years, often for life, with a crown and good care
Types
Types of root canal treatment
Single-visit root canal
The whole treatment in one appointment, for simple cases.
Multi-visit root canal
For complex infections, with medication placed between visits.
Retreatment
Reopens a previously treated tooth that has developed new problems.
Root-tip surgery (apicoectomy)
Minor surgery to remove an infected root tip when standard treatment is not enough.
Symptoms that may need a root canal
- Severe tooth pain. Especially when you chew or press on the tooth.
- Lingering sensitivity. Pain from hot or cold that stays after the food or drink is gone.
- Gum swelling. Swelling or tenderness around one tooth.
- A darkening tooth. A tooth that turns grey or dark.
- A bump on the gum. A pimple-like bump, sometimes with a bad taste.
- Pain that wakes you. Toothache that disturbs your sleep.
Step by step
Your root canal treatment, step by step
Consultation
A 45-minute consultation with an X-ray to see the infection and the canals.
Numbing
The tooth is numbed completely before anything starts.
Cleaning
Infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned and shaped.
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
Crown
A crown protects the tooth and restores full chewing.
Benefits
What root canal treatment gives you
- You keep your natural tooth and avoid an extraction.
- The infection is removed and the toothache settles.
- Full chewing is restored once the crown is fitted.
- Your smile and facial shape stay as they are.
- Infection is stopped from spreading to other teeth.
- You avoid the cost of replacing a lost tooth.
Before your treatment
- If there is swelling, take any antibiotics prescribed before the appointment; the tooth numbs better once infection is controlled.
- Eat a light meal beforehand, because your mouth will be numb afterwards.
- Bring any previous X-rays.
After your treatment
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the crown is placed; it can crack.
- Take painkillers as prescribed for the first day or two.
- Book the crown within two to four weeks; a root-treated tooth without a crown is the most common reason treatment fails.
Why patients choose Edge Dental Care for root canals
Your dentist
A crown made by a prosthodontist
The crown that protects your root-treated tooth is designed by Dr. Vaishnavi, an MDS Prosthodontist, so the tooth is built to last.
About Dr. Vaishnavi
Numbed first, explained throughout
The tooth is fully numbed before we start, every step is explained, and you can ask us to pause at any time.
Book a root canal consultation in Alwarpet
In pain right now? WhatsApp or call and we will tell you what to do on the way. Emergencies are seen the same day during clinic hours.
WhatsApp 82828 24120, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm.
Questions
Questions about root canal treatment
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Not usually. The tooth is fully numbed first, so most patients feel only pressure. The treatment is meant to relieve the toothache, not cause it.
How long does a root canal take?
Each visit takes 45 to 90 minutes. Simple cases are finished in a single visit; complex or infected teeth may need two visits about a week apart.
How long does a root-treated tooth last?
A root-treated tooth can last many years, often for life, when it is protected with a crown and cared for with brushing, flossing and regular check-ups.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Yes, for back teeth and most front teeth. A root-treated tooth becomes brittle and can crack without a crown.
Can I eat normally after a root canal?
Yes, on the other side straight away, and on the treated tooth once the crown is fitted. Avoid hard or sticky food on it until then.
What does root canal treatment cost in Chennai?
The cost depends on which tooth it is (front teeth have one canal, molars three or four) and the crown chosen. We quote the root canal and crown together after your X-ray, before we start.
Can the infection come back?
It can if the tooth is not sealed with a crown or if hygiene is poor, which is why the crown and follow-up matter. Retreatment is possible if it does.
Root canal or extraction: which is better?
A root canal is the better choice whenever the tooth can be saved, because a natural tooth chews better and usually costs less over time than an implant or bridge.
Another question? WhatsApp 82828 24120, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm.
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