What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.

"Root canal" is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth where the tooth pulp lies. The nerves lie inside the tooth pulp.

What Damages a Tooth's Nerve and Pulp in the First Place?

A tooth's nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.

Sequel of delaying root canal treatment:

What Happens During a Root Canal?

A root canal requires one or more office visits and can be performed by a dentist or Endodontist. The first step is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in a surrounding bone. Your dentist or Endodontist will then use local anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. An access hole will then be drilled into the tooth. The pulp along with bacteria, the decayed nerve tissue and related debris is removed from the tooth. The cleaning out process is accomplished using root canal files. Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed.