Root Canal Treatment Root Canal Treatment(RCT) is carried out to save a tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted due to infection or pain. During RCT the dentist places what is called a rubber dam over the tooth which isolates the tooth from the rest of the teeth in the mouth. The dentist cleans and disinfects the root canal(s) of the tooth using specially designed instuments that remove the dead or dying remnants of the dental pulp along with irrigating the canals with disinfectant solutions. The cleaned out canals are then filled with root canal filling which stops infection recurring. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic over one or two visits and is painless. The cavity is then filled up. Sometimes it is advisable to place a porcelain crown over the tooth to protect it. Some, more difficult cases may be referred to a Specialist Endodontist(Root Canal Specialist) for treatment.