Many of you who have been to a dentist must be very familiar with the word root canal treatment or RCT. To explain what it is, first you will have to understand the anatomy of the tooth. Tooth is like a coconut with a stronger covering outside (called enamel) and a slightly soft layer inside (known as dentin) and a very soft watery layer inside. This last layer is pulp, which is basically nerves and vessels. Teeth are protected by its enamel and dentin. When the tooth decays or gets fractured, infection gradually invade to the pulp. Once it reaches there it spreads easily. In those condition simple fillings on crown (part of teeth which is seen above the gums) is not sufficient. In that case we need to remove the infection from the pulp too, most part of which lies within the root (part of the teeth covered by the gums). This process is called root canal treatment (RCT).

In this process exposed or infected nerves are removed from the root canal of the tooth and then the canal is cleaned and widened. The canal then is sealed with some material so as to leave the canal sterile. The tooth after the root canal treatment will remain non-vital (dead) but functionally it can serve its purpose in chewing and other purpose of a tooth.