Root Canal Therapy
Also known as endodontic therapy, a root canal is needed when a cavity reaches all the way to the tooth pulp. (The alternative to a root canal is to extract the tooth.) Treatment may also be needed when deep restorations or trauma cause nerve damage.
When pulp becomes infected, it can eat away at the surrounding bone (this is known as an abscess). Infection is not only painful, but requires treatment since it cannot heal on its own.
The purpose of a root canal is to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth.
Symptoms indicating infected tooth pulp:
- Sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets
- Pain and swelling
- Pain to biting or pressure
- Bad taste in the mouth
Note: Sometimes symptoms may not be apparent at all until a checkup.
Once the infection is resolved, the canal is filled in to prevent further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy.